An ecological-phenomenological perspective on multispecies leisure and the horse-human relationship in events

Abstract

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Holidays with my horse: Human-horse relationships and multispecies tourism experiences

“…To achieve this level of communication and some shared understanding requires a degree of partnership between horses and humans (Maurstad, Davis & Cowles, 2013). This partnership often develops over time, and is vulnerable to breakdown during periods of stress and in the face of unfamiliar environments and stimuli, such as might be experienced away on holiday (Dashper & Brymer, 2019). Some of these issues are explored further in the narratives presented below.…”

“…The horse may not want to step into a stream, for example, and may act to try and resist this by backing up or turning around. However, if the human really wants the horse to walk through the stream then the human has capacity to enforce this behaviour through various practices (Dashper & Brymer, 2019).…”

Multispecies leisure: human-animal interactions in leisure landscapes

“…She argues that there is a need for concentration on more equal, mutual wellbeing in such leisure environments, as there is currently a favouring of human experiences in cat shows. Dashper and Brymer (2019) introduce an ecological-phenomenological framework for understanding relationships between animate actors and their environment in and through leisure, by using the example of human riders and horses in the context of a pleasure ride leisure event. They underline the importance of considering all practices and interactions in relation to the environments in which they take place.…”

Human–Equine Tourism and Nature-Based Solutions: Exploring Psychological Well-Being Through Transformational Experiences

“…Previously human-animal relations have focused around human consumption and utilization of animals for peoples' benefit; however, more recently, authors such as those indicated above, as well as Fox (2006), Bertella (2014), Davis and Maurstad (2016), Danby et al (2019), Dashper (2019), Dashper and Brymer (2019) have began to realize the significance of animals in their own right, as sentient beings, worthy of moral consideration. The shifting role of the horse in society is acknowledged by Dashper (2012Dashper ( , 2017 and more recently by the works of Dashper and Brymer (2019) and Sturød et al (2019) indicating that once it was considered a vital partner to humans in terms of agriculture and warfare as well particularly with reference to transportation; however nowadays, the horse plays a predominant partner within sport, leisure, and tourism, and horses are becoming increasingly popular as companion and therapy animals (Wolframm et al, 2013). Changing economies, societies, and technologies have transformed the predominant roles held in human life (Evans & Vial, 2015).…”

“…The specific focus on horses is evident within this article, due to the fact that throughout history they have proven to have had varied roles within society. In contemporary society, the horse is a significant actor within the leisure, tourism, and events landscape, acting as a NBS, the result being a companion and a substitute for family members; furthermore, they contribute immensely toward emotional recreation (Danby et al, 2019;Kline et al, 2015;Notzke, 2019) although the body of work is beginning to formulate (Buchmann, 2017;Danby, 2018;Danby & Hannam, 2016;Dashper, 2015Dashper, , 2017Dashper, , 2019Dashper & Brymer, 2019;Gilbert & Gillett, 2014;Pickel-Chavalier, 2015;Notzke, 2019;Sturød et al, 2019).…”