Let’s learn about something a little different on this fine Monday. We all know that many of our equestrian sports have evolved from the use of horses in daily-life over the course of history. From cavalry to farming to logging, horses have a hoof in the development of civilization as we know it. But have you ever heard of horses being used to go fishing?
Now you have. In this latest installment of the FEI’s RIDE video series, we meet a family who has kept the tradition of shrimp fishing using horses alive on the southwestern coast of Belgium for generations. While shrimp fishing draft horses might seem like a far cry from the event horses that we’re used to, we can always learn from appreciating other forms of equestrianism. After all, there are always commonalities when it comes to horsemanship and giving horses a job.
For example, one particularly relevant similarity between these fishermen and anyone looking to do right by their sport horses is their attention to the care of their horses in a way that supports their longevity and ability to comfortably do their job — whether it’s dragging a shrimp net or jumping big solid fences. Anyone with a love of horses and a passion for keeping a long-standing tradition alive can appreciate that.
