So we took tennis, golf and skiing lessons, but the only sport that’s really stuck with me is horseback riding. Horses became a passion, and I’ve pursued the sport as a junior rider, as an adult rider and now as a professional.

Some notable changes include: An increase in the number of FEI ranking classes offered worldwide. More ‘high-quality’ competition venues with increased prize money. More technically demanding course, with tighter times and rails that will fall from the cups more easily.

Many horses compete at the highest level of dressage and are not treated cruelly. However, some dressage competitions and training are cruel. Harmful conditions arise through forceful and rapid training methods. But, training practiced with patience and care is beneficial for you and your horse.

Another called it one of the three most dangerous sports around. In raw numbers of incidents, sports like football and basketball have far more injured participants, but then many more people play football and basketball than ride. When one looks at the statistics for head injuries, riding is quite high up there.

Horses let humans ride them because of a relationship of trust developed through hard work, time, and training. In the wild, horses run when humans attempt to approach them. Most people buy horses trained to ride and don’t put much thought into why a horse lets them sit on their back.

No, zebras cannot be domesticated. To be domesticated, animals must meet certain criteria. For example, they must have a good disposition and should not panic under pressure. Zebras’ unpredictable nature and tendency to attack preclude them from being good candidates for domestication.

The good news is that yes horses do like being ridden, although it’s not so much the act of being ridden it’s more that they know that it makes us happy and that we keep them safe and take care of all of their food.

Some horses can do just fine living alone, especially if you put in effort to make sure that their needs are met.