Horse Sub Culture

I am a member of the equestrian subculture. The equestrian subculture consists of people who ride and take care of horses. Members of this subculture value horsemanship, respect, position, and knowledge. Following these values allows you to be a better rider and have a better understanding of how to treat the animals. Together, these values form a value cluster because they all create the skills needed to be a successful equestrian. The value of horsemanship is reflected by the norms of being gentle and listening to both your instructor and the horse you are riding. Each lesson you have, you learn more and more about the animal you are riding. You are expected to do what the instructor tells you to do and do it properly. Listening to your …show more content…
The more you know about horses, the more successful you will be as an equestrian. If you don’t know what you are doing, you could get injured and negative sanctions will follow. Some negative sanctions include, being scolded and paying for any damage you cause. Observing these values properly comes with positive sanctions. Examples of this would be winning ribbons at a competition, being able to ride more in order to expand on what you’ve already done, and being praised and recognized for doing well. As an equestrian, these are all things you want to strive for. These positive sanctions can even help riders become more confident. Equestrian non-material culture is reflected in the language we use. For example, there are specific words used to ensure yours and the horse’s safety, such as saddle pad, whoa, trot, canter, cross ties, and halter. If you were not aware of some of these words you may not be able to properly ride or tack up your horse. Some examples of material culture include, helmets, horseshoes, saddles, bridles, stirrups, crops, and spurs. All of these objects enable you to ride properly and safely. These material and non-material culture examples reflect the norms of horsemanship, knowledge, and