Sea World and Horses

Everyone is talking about the Sea World fiasco, with the orca whale who killed an experienced trainer.   I have a few thoughts about this, and some of them actually have something to do with horses...so that's why it's being posted here.

First of all, I keep hearing everyone talk about "these are supposed to be wild animals, and this is what happens when you take these powerful animals out of their natural environment."  I've heard this before.  Now and then, people who doesn't understand equestrian sports say this.   "How can you ride horses?  Don't you feel bad for sitting on them?  They are wild and majestic creatures."  It's frustrating.

Honestly, if we hadn't tamed wild creatures - we wouldn't have any of the pet animals we have now.  Dogs, cats, birds, rodents...all of these things were wild.  So, that's a silly argument.

In addition,, Sea World as a company has raised BILLIONS for oceanography, and for the environment.  Sea World is an immense charity that gives back to the whales and the marine life that live there.  Most of the animals are bred there, they never lived in the wild.  They have fun with training and stimulation.  While their average lifespans may be lower, it is a safe and healthy life they lead.  This is not elephant training where the elephants are abused in order to train them.

And the next time I hear any sort of comment about this that someone insinuates that the trainer "deserved to die", I will scream.  No one deserves to die.  I love animals just as much as the next person - but humans are the dominant species here.  It is possible to house these animals in humane ways where they don't suffer, and where their lives could be enhanced.