The following photo was sent in by Allison of Adventures with Shyloh. Allison commented on the unsafe practices being displayed in the photo and, while I don’t disagree the situation is extremely unsafe, is it not the rider’s and photographer’s decision? Obviously, to pull off a shot like this, the rider had to be more than just a model – she had to have riding experience in order to balance and hold herself like that. I mention this so that we can safely assume she is aware of the dangers of horseback riding and not a noob who has no clue that one wrong fall could end their life.
Photo by Marina Barskaya. Click here for more of her work.
Honestly, from my typically snarky point of view, I have no issue with this photo. All the dangers are to the rider and the horse has a nice, calm expression. The reins may be a bit tight, if I want to be picky – but the horse obviously doesn’t mind and it’s not like she’s ripping his lower jaw off his face (as we’ve seen of other riders). I think that people who truly understand the muscular control and stamina required to do this pose, as well as the control and training that went into the horse itself, can really appreciate the beauty of the captured moment.
To me, the issue is more with people who aren’t experienced horse people and are secretly thinking to themselves, “Hell, I could do that! It’s easy!” It’s like those stunt TV shows – how many of you know people (*cough*guys*cough*) who saw one of the Jackass movies and then, almost immediately afterwards went out and tried to do stunts of their own, “don’t try this at home” disclaimer be damned.
What do you think?
- Are photos such as this one ok? Should artistic integrity take precedence over safety?
- Do photos romanticizing the abstract concept of the bond between horse and rider, you know, the one that overcomes all horsey instincts and transcends the species gap, actively promote unsafe practices?
- Should photos of unsafe riding practices be celebrated or shunned for promoting said unsafe practices?
50 Comments
I’m not sure if you see that amount of sweat that is coming off under the saddle pad, I can see it. There is also the fact she does not appear to be holding on to the saddle actually balancing herself. Yes one foot is in the stirrup, but the other leg is not gripping the side saddle “wing” or leg thingy. Nor is she balancing herself with her elbows. It looks more perched on the back of her arm, and part of the elbow.
I think we can make the theory that she was lying along his back when a trainer had the horse rear up for the pose.
AND I can see a danger when the horse comes down, I think she is more likely a good gymnast vs a good rider, because when that horse comes down, if she isn’t hold onto the saddle pad OR the saddle, she is going to be thrown up onto the horse’s neck.
OR she is going to do a front roll OR a back roll/flip off the horse’s rear end.
You can see the horse is very damp with sweat or rain, and you can also see the woman really has no way to truly hang on when that horse comes down.
Now in this pic of hers you can see the rider is far more balanced and her legs are in a position to keep her in the saddle,
http://vk.com/albums5437960?profile=1&z=photo5437960_286137002%2Fphotos5437960
PLUS you can see the horse is not rearing as high NOR is the horse sweated up like the previous one.
http://vk.com/photo5437960_286158047?all=1
In this photo you can see the same horse, rearing higher, and again the model is in a great position to recover. I think this work is well down, gorgeously photographed and much safer.
I think the photographer felt the need to push the envelope, and it could have dire consequences for the horse and the model.
In this pic she has the same horse rearing BUT the model is clearly hanging on with her lower legs, and the reins are knotted up and out of the way. Clearly the model is a good rider and horse trained to do tricks.
http://vk.com/photo5437960_286194325?all=1
But again, I think the photographer feels the need to add more spice to the mix, and well some one IS going to get hurt.
I thought it looked more like the horse had recently been bathed and they hadn’t bothered to wait until he fully dried. Just looked like an odd sweat pattern – but that could just be me.
I agree, it looks like they hosed off the horse. Maybe this is part of the “artistic expression” of the art director. Also, the saddle appears to be designed for trick riding. The whole thing seems as well thought out as something like this could be. From an artistic standpoint, I think it looks a bit dopey. Just my, never to be humble, opinion.
I do have to add that the photographer has some other shots that are really beautiful. This one just isn’t my cup of tea.
I agree that it is just water, maybe rain or something, because the girl’s dress looks plastered to her skin.
That was going to be my point– horse AND girl are drenched. Either photographing in the rain, or they decided to add some water.
Yeah, it’s rain. They have pictures of it raining on them.
go to her album #68 she is sitting on the same horse and it is raining or they are spraying water to make appear as if it is raining. Hence the odd wet pattern.
Good references. That last pic (bareback) looks scary! Poor horse with that girl’s heels!!
It looks like there were definitely better shots of this type, but I agree that someone is pushing the limits a bit (could be the rider too). I saw the wet area too, but it looked too clean to be sweat to me. I assumed water, like Snarky.
I see wet areas on the horse, but if you look at the girth, there is no sweat there. Looks like the horse was hosed down…
I think this also ties into the helmet thing a little. A lot of people (sometimes myself included) will comment if there is a picture with someone riding without a helmet. I understand it’s personal choice (not unlike the photo shown), but it IS showcasing unsafe activity.
With a photo like this (actually saw one VERY similar last week and had to think about it) I think it’s definitely art though. There has to be a point where we draw the line and people have to figure out that they can’t do anything or everything they MAY see online. I know that I, personally, will not censor much online (FB mainly), unless I’m posting it for my students to see online. That’s pretty much it. We can’t be accountable for every person’s actions!
“Risk Assessment”. Adults make those decisions for themselves. Helmet and safety bullies need to learn to shut up. This stunt would be impossible for most people, but easy for some. Jeez! There are some people who ‘attempt’ to ride who have no business on a horse in the first place – and are more often than not the same people flapping their gums about how dangerous it is to ride! Shut UP!!
The biggest issue I have with this picture is that it is just dopey. Why do women have to do this kind of crap on horses? Is it because they have no other riding skills? It’s much like the same dopey pictures so popular now of a woman in a flowing gown, on a horse with an obscene ammount of hair, galloping about under a disco ball, with flowing veils, etc…. My GAWD!! It’s “My Pretty Pony” all grown up and on sterioids.
This post needs a love button!
The horse also is wearing a ‘special’ saddle, not your usual store-bought number. A well-trained trick horse.
I believe Hollywood has perpetrated the on-going misconception of horses in general, horsemanship in particular, and is contributing to the misinformation about equines, i.e., manure is like dog sh!t; horses are mean and kick all the time; they can run for miles and jump really high; Zombies like to eat them.
Does a sidesaddle not ring a bell??
http://www.yesterdayimage.com/images/capture66.jpg
It is a type of a sidesaddle, The above is an image of one.
There are different styles but is obviously a side saddle
I don’t mind it, I actually think it’s a fairly cool shot and I’m impressed with how relaxed her body is in some of the other ones. The girl is an obviously experienced rider, most likely a trick rider, working with a horse she knows in a special saddle. The horse looks well cared for, in a mild bit and doesn’t have 5 hugely overweight people on it or beating or soring it.
I also think it looks more like water than sweat, personally I think it looks like rain because of the pattern and how damp his mane is. Oh, I was just looking at some other pictures, it definitely is rain.
Now the one with another girl hanging on to the horses head and neck (photo 29) I DO have a problem with.
Here’s my take:
The saddle isn’t a “trick saddle” it’s a nice sidesaddle. The photos linked to show the rider using the leaping horn correctly. The one posted IN the blog, she has her leg over the bottom horn instead of under it, which is not correct and makes it less safe.
The rider obviously knows what she’s doing as a rider and whomever is directing the shoot is doing a good job as the horse and rider look relaxed in all the photos. It’s a really interesting idea for a shoot and stretches the imagination, I really like it actually.
The photos linked to, look like maybe they are practice sessions for the one posted here. She is not wearing a dress in those, which is what makes me think it’s practice. Maybe that’s not the case.
I don’t think the horse in the photo is sweating; to me if looks like it’s raining in that photo and that is rain on his back. Looking at the other photos compared with this one, it looks sunny in those and cloudy and rainy in the posted one. The horse doesn’t look sweaty and upset to me, he looks happy and like he’s enjoying doing his job.
I think these are definitely art, and carefully spotted, planned, practiced, etc. The rider is an adult, trained, etc. That, to me, makes it okay that she is barefoot and without a helmet. I do agree it doesn’t help encourage people to wear helmets and shoes, but I guess part of being a responsible parent and horse person is to always be educating and critiquing. This photo isn’t irresponsible to me, because the rider and horse are educated and properly trained. She isn’t a model with no idea there is any danger.
I think the photo is crazy and amazing and I kind of want one!
I think context is important here.
Is this photo being shown in an artistic photography book, or used to sell wine or dresses or whatever? Fine. The audience is highly unlikely to try this, or even to think about the horse itself. It’s just a cool photo.
Is this photo being used in a horse-type magazine, or used to sell tack? Not cool. People ARE impressionable idiots, and may try this and get hurt, or hurt the horse. It’s not just a cool photo, it’s an example.
Here’s another way to think about it: You might ride without a helmet in the company of close friends. But you’d never ride without a helmet in a schooling ring full of teenagers, lest they follow your lead.
We don’t have to hold ourselves responsible for the actions of every person– but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care about the consequences of showing the whole world how risky we can act.
Actually…. at my barn the trainers and most advanced riders do ride without a helmet. That does not mean the students are allowed to ride without a helmet during a lesson, much less encouraged to do so.
Yep, that’s a sidesaddle. What she’s doing is especially dangerous because there’s no back cinch or breastcollar to keep the saddle from sliding.
OMG I can hear the upright head cracking now. That LOOKS like a cheap, made in Craptackistan sidesaddle to me. I would be very surprised if it survived the shoot. It’s a wonder she has not slid off of him, given that she seems to have slipped pretty far to the near side. I have seen similar poses by trick riders from the early 20th century, but they were on good, well made saddles and had their leg UNDER the leaping horn like it ought to be, not OVER it.
I don’t mind this. I’d put on the same kind of level as Cavalia. I attended that show last summer and saw people standing on galloping horses and so on. Maybe there are a few idiots who go home and try stuff like that with their own horses, but I think far and away the majority of people realize how much time and training goes into it and would never try it themselves. I think most people also immediately grasp the danger associated with that kind of stunt; that’s a big part of why it’s exciting to watch. Just like how Cirque de Soliel would be boring if the tightrope was only a foot off the ground. This picture wouldn’t have the same appeal if the rider had obvious safety gear and the horse wasn’t rearing it, it would be boring. Most people can go watch Cirque de Soliel without ever feeling the need to try it at home!
I am a lot more bothered by helmetless/unsafe riding when the context is close to home and realistic. Average people posting photos of themselves jumping helmetless in their home arenas are much worse, that’s a normalization of an unsafe practice.
I will also mention, I am a complete sucker for photos of high school girls in their prom dresses on their horses, or ladies in their wedding dresses, and I really want to take some photos in my wedding dress on my horse. I guess it’s a bit of that “my pretty pony” thing, sorry! I’m the biggest safety Nazi around, but even I will admit that the photo would be kinda ruined if the rider had to put on a helmet and boots with her prom dress/wedding dress. These are not professional trick riders, just ordinary horse lovers, but as long there’s nothing really stupid going on in the photo (ie no galloping, jumping, rearing, etc. while helmetless in the prom dress!) I don’t think it really encourages unsafe behaviour, people can make the distinction between a one-time photo shoot and how you should ride on a daily basis. So I certainly don’t think that all photos that show helmetless or otherwise unsafe riding need to be shunned, it depends very much on context.
Meh. It’s trick riders. In Russia. I didn’t see a single helmet when I was growing up n eastern Europe, and while I wear one religiously now, it is not part of the culture there, nor are helmets that readily available for purchase. [Insert "In Russia, horses ride you" joke here].
I am really glad to see their horses looking happy, healthy and well-adjusted, which puts them above the standard of care. Beyond that, they can risk their neck all they want as long as I don’t have to do the same, and I will admit there are some awfully cool photos.
I hate to be catty, but when I saw the picture, all I could think of was those fantasy novel covers. She just needs bigger boobs and a phallic symbol of some sort (a staff, a sword, something long and pointy).
The jumping horn on her sidesaddle is what is holding her on. But, it’s a bit like sending in nude snapshots of yourself to Playboy – they never look as good or as sexy as you think they are.
I would like to know what those parallel streaks on that horse’s rump are. When I zoom in, they don’t look like water marks, or muscle definition. They look raised up, like welts from a whip. They’re just very oddly positioned, which is making me hesitate a bit.
My bet is that it’s wrinkles in the skin.
They look like they may be veins? I’m not sure what the structure of the veins in the rump are like but I guess rearing would make them more prominent? They seem too evenly positioned to be whip-marks.
They’re just skin folds. My horse gets the same type of thing when he rears out in the pasture.
I’ve seen the same/very similar skin folds on jumpers – I have some pics that I’ve taken at various competitions of it. It seems to be quite common.
It’s all relative to the CONTEXT in which the photo is shown. Is it in a gallery of fine art in New York City? Or is it on the cover of the next Parelli DVD?
I don’t know if I would personally call this (and the other similar photos of the draped over the butt thing) art.. it just seems like pictures of a repetitive trick and probably a bit more about the rider’s vanity than a desire to convey something to the viewer. Some of the other photos are quite beautiful and artistic though. I freely admit I like less water-drenched people in my equine art and more focus on the equine itself.
That said, I don’t have any particular issue with it either for many of the reasons already stated. The horse doesn’t look distressed, isn’t being grabbed at or spurred, etc. As for other people imitating and possibly being hurt, well.. you can’t save people from their own stupidity, generally speaking.
To me, this is like any other form of trick riding. If you’re not smart enough to know you aren’t talented enough to do it, you deserve what you get.
I think we get a little too focused on safety in our society. Example: 4th of July, we made a pre-packaged brisket. The directions said, “cook at 325 for 15 min per pound… caution, product will be hot.” Really?! We have to include that on labels now?! How stupid ARE people?
How about the ones with people swimming next to their horses? Now that screams dangerous to me!
Really? I used to swim with my horses all the time.
Maybe I just don’t have enough experience with it? Seem like swimming next to them you’d stand a good chance of getting kicked as they paddled?
I think it’s a pretty awesome display honestly! Nothing in the shot shows the horse as unhappy, or stressed, the rider obviously is not new at this! Anyone stupid enough to try this at home, well you get what you deserve.
As far as the helmet issue…as a parent, teach your kids safety. As an adult, think before you do or reap the consequences. Simple as that.
I think while the picture is a bit tasteless, and cheesy, there’s no drama. I Have a horse I taught a few tricks, including to rear, and yep of course as a teenage I got the pictures of me me n him helmet less,bareback, one hand in the air with him rearing. I never got hurt doesn’t mean someone else won’t . But that’s Darwin for you, I see people doing things in movies doesn’t mean I think I can d them. If she wants to do this it’s hr choice, she wearing a dress, not whip chains and spurs and the horse isn’t in pain so what’s the harm..
Ps has anyone watched vaulting it is no less dangerous than this and it’s a sport!
I actually like the photos…. especially the one of the lady with the same red dress, same horse, but it’s a rear view and you can clearly see that it is raining. His muscular haunches and her wet dress make a wonderful picture to me.
I’m scared of rearing of any kind and won’t be teaching my pony to do that…besides my big ole self sure wouldn’t look as artsy as I flipped off the back with my sexy XL t-shirt up over my head.
My visual is making me giggle to myself.
I think the photos just look awkward. I get that unusual poses can be a good thing in advertising but I thought it was distracting from the product being sold and honestly just looked bizarre.
I don’t have a problem with this at all. You can’t protect everyone from everything and certainly not from their own stupidity. If a “noob” is dumb enough to try this, and they get hurt, well, sorry but maybe next time they will think it through first, and hopefully the horse isn’t hurt in the process.
Well, I have to say that my first thought of the picture was that this woman is obviously an attention hound (to be polite about it). And now I see her getting all sorts of attention, even if she is not specifically aware of it. I guess that worked for her! (Though the pics do nothing for me, either as art, pretty horse pictures or the doesn’t-she-think-she’s-hot-now genre.)
I don’t have a problem with this picture. However, I was looking through her other photos, and picture number 15 I do have a problem with!
I don’t care if people want to risk something, but this is not fair to the horse: http://vk.com/albums5437960?profile=1#/albums5437960?profile=1&z=photo5437960_286123573%2Fphotos5437960
http://vk.com/albums5437960?profile=1#/albums5437960?profile=1&z=photo5437960_283799317%2Fphotos5437960
http://vk.com/albums5437960?profile=1#/albums5437960?profile=1&z=photo5437960_277821581%2Fphotos5437960
Also, this dog is not happy: http://vk.com/albums5437960?profile=1#/albums5437960?profile=1&z=photo5437960_274625329%2Fphotos5437960
With the girl on the horses head. While I agree is completely stupid and not really the most safe for either. Have you seen a horse that doesn’t like his bridle put on? My Gelding has lifted 2-3 stable hands (these being 150+lb men) off the ground because he got so bad. This was also before I fully owned him and worked on him so people *didn’t* get lifted of the ground. Her little model body really probably weighs nothing compared to that. But thats a “just cause you can, doesn’t mean you should.” kind of moment.
i think she is making it far more dangerous by not using the pommels correctly, stupid people will get themselves hurt, sensible people will limit risk.
it is all a bit silly and self indulgent really. Art, but i don’t think i’ll see it in the tate any time soon.
There are trick riders who do more dangerous than this at a gallop . its art ,
Anybody go out an get extra noses surgically attached after seeing a Picasso?
Well, I think it just looks stupid as hell. Plus, she has ugly feet.
To imply that with out the photo people wouldn’t try this is incredibly naive , I am 41 and used to do dumb things like riding side saddle at a canter with my stirrup flung over the pommel and standing in the saddle and getting my pony to trot when I was about 8 ( my mother would pee her pants if she knew the things I got up to ) … internet and photos not are needed to inspire curiosity and stupidity !