Pleasure riding
Encyclopedia
Pleasure riding is a form of equestrianism
that encompasses many forms of recreational riding for personal enjoyment, absent elements of competition. Pleasure riding is called "hacking" in British English
, and in parts of the eastern United States and Canada. In the United States, particularly the American west, the term trail riding
is commonly used to describe pleasure riding, particularly on public lands. Many horses are suitable for pleasure riding, including grade horse
s and other animals of ordinary quality and good disposition. Such horses are sometimes called "hacks
," particularly in areas where pleasure riding is known as hacking.
Recent studies in the United States have indicated the pleasure riding is the number-one equine activity engaged in by horse owners. Statistics provided by the American Horse Council
in a 2005 study indicated that out of 9.2 million horses in the United States, the largest number, 3.9 million, were used for recreation, and this activity directly contributed $11.8 billion dollars, or roughly one-third of the GDP effect of the horse industry. Later studies reinforce these numbers. A 2008 survey found that pleasure/trail riding was the primary pursuit for 78% of Wisconsin horses and 80% of horse owners. Similarly, a 2006 study in Virginia found that 48.4% of the horses in that state were used for pleasure riding.
The prevalence of pleasure riding and its economic impact also dispels the misperception that horse ownership is only for the wealthy. The 2005 AHC study also found that approximately 34% of horse owners have an annual household income of less than $50,000, 46% have an income of between $25,000 to $75,000, and 28% have an income of over $100,000.
Horse showing ranks second in the AHC study of horse activities, with 2.7 million horses involved. Even in competition, the term "pleasure" or "hack" is also applied to a number of horse show
classes where the performance of the animals are judged on their manners, performance and way of going, originally to determine a horse's suitability to be a pleasure riding mount.
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
that encompasses many forms of recreational riding for personal enjoyment, absent elements of competition. Pleasure riding is called "hacking" in British English
British English
British English, or English , is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the United Kingdom from forms used elsewhere...
, and in parts of the eastern United States and Canada. In the United States, particularly the American west, the term trail riding
Trail riding
Trail riding sometimes called horse or pony trekking is riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena. The term may encompass those who travel on horses, on mountain bikes, or on motorcycles and other motorized all-terrain vehicles...
is commonly used to describe pleasure riding, particularly on public lands. Many horses are suitable for pleasure riding, including grade horse
Grade horse
A Grade horse is a horse whose parentage is unknown, unidentifiable, or of significantly mixed breeding. This differs from purebred animals of known bloodlines and also differs from deliberately crossbred animals that are produced with an intent of either creating a new breed of horse or an animal...
s and other animals of ordinary quality and good disposition. Such horses are sometimes called "hacks
Hack (horse)
Hack within the activity of equestrianism commonly refers to one of two things: as a verb, it describes the act of riding a horse for light exercise, and as a noun, it is a type of horse used for riding out at ordinary speeds over roads and trails...
," particularly in areas where pleasure riding is known as hacking.
Recent studies in the United States have indicated the pleasure riding is the number-one equine activity engaged in by horse owners. Statistics provided by the American Horse Council
American Horse Council
The American Horse Council is a trade organization in Washington, DC representing the horse industry. It lobbies before Congress and Federal agencies for the interests of the horse industry, and serves as a unified voice for the horse industry....
in a 2005 study indicated that out of 9.2 million horses in the United States, the largest number, 3.9 million, were used for recreation, and this activity directly contributed $11.8 billion dollars, or roughly one-third of the GDP effect of the horse industry. Later studies reinforce these numbers. A 2008 survey found that pleasure/trail riding was the primary pursuit for 78% of Wisconsin horses and 80% of horse owners. Similarly, a 2006 study in Virginia found that 48.4% of the horses in that state were used for pleasure riding.
The prevalence of pleasure riding and its economic impact also dispels the misperception that horse ownership is only for the wealthy. The 2005 AHC study also found that approximately 34% of horse owners have an annual household income of less than $50,000, 46% have an income of between $25,000 to $75,000, and 28% have an income of over $100,000.
Horse showing ranks second in the AHC study of horse activities, with 2.7 million horses involved. Even in competition, the term "pleasure" or "hack" is also applied to a number of horse show
Horse show
A Horse show is a judged exhibition of horses and ponies. Many different horse breeds and equestrian disciplines hold competitions worldwide, from local to the international levels. Most horse shows run from one to three days, sometimes longer for major, all-breed events or national and...
classes where the performance of the animals are judged on their manners, performance and way of going, originally to determine a horse's suitability to be a pleasure riding mount.
See also
- Trail ridingTrail ridingTrail riding sometimes called horse or pony trekking is riding outdoors on natural trails and roads as opposed to riding in an enclosed area such as a riding arena. The term may encompass those who travel on horses, on mountain bikes, or on motorcycles and other motorized all-terrain vehicles...
- Western pleasureWestern PleasureWestern Pleasure is a western style competition at horse shows that evaluates horses on manners and suitability of the horse for a relaxed but collected gait cadence and relatively slow speed of gait, along with calm and responsive disposition. The horse is to appear to be a "pleasure" to ride and...
- English pleasureEnglish PleasureEnglish pleasure is generic term for a number of different English riding classes seen at horse shows in the United States, where the horse is ridden in either hunt seat or saddle seat tack....
- Show hackShow hackThe show hack is a type of ridden show horse, exhibited to a standard first established in England.Affiliated showing and breeding of the show hacks in the United Kingdom is overseen by the British Show Horse Association....
- Pleasure drivingPleasure drivingPleasure driving is a horse show class seen in the United States that features light breeds of horses and ponies hitched to a two or four-wheeled show cart. They are driven at a walk and two speeds of trot. Many horse breeds compete in Pleasure driving...