I have found the answer to this question that so many people are wondering about! I was just going about my business today when I decided to google something and the ever helpful google guided me to the age old question: Why don't people ride zebras?! I had to share my findings with steemit, as this very important question remains unanswered here!
I mean they look a lot like horses, except they have those bitchin’ stripes. Everything else about them seems ready made to just slot in beside our horses, they have four legs, tail, eat grasses and are just a bit smaller.
So Why Don't People Ride Zebras? Stop Stallin', I Need To Know!
Well, in the late 1800’s many Europeans tried to tame the zebra (Africans had long since given up on it for good reason). The reason was that the zebra was common and immune to the diseases that the tse-tse flies carried, diseases that killed many of the costly imported horses. It was hoped that zebras could be made to fill the role of the horse in Africa.
Let’s review the characteristics that make an animal ripe for domestication:
- NOT PICKY EATERS – Will eat what is given to them
- WILL BREED IN CAPTIVITY – Self-explanatory
- FAST GROWTH RATE – So they can be harvested/put to use quicker
- SOCIAL HIERARCHY – A human can become the leader
- TENDENCY NOT TO PANIC – Do not want them to stampede
- PLEASANT DISPOSITION – So they don't attack and hurt the farmer
Going down the list we are good until the last two.
Zebras panic and are especially mean. Not only do they kick with a strength to break bones or worse – they will actually look back to aim that kick. When they bite, they do not usually let off until the thing they bit is dead.
Horses can, but rarely bite and kick - zebras do it to the next level.
The reason for this is evolution.
Not only did our two species evolve beside each other, and I am sure involved some targeted hunting by humans that bred the imprint that we are a danger to them, but with lions, hyenas, crocodiles, and any other larger predator on the Africa savannah out to eat them as well. This has caused them to be alert and wary.
The zebras that survived these dangers passed their genes on to the future, and based off zebra actions of today it involved not just running away but fighting when necessary, as a powerful kick to the lion may just give them the chance to get away.
Due to their cantankerous attitudes, zebras never became the replacement for horses that people wanted them to become. In addition, due to their smaller stature they lack the back strength to carry an adult human for extended periods of time.
While the species as a whole isn't tameable, there have been a few times that a more agreeable zebra has been tamed – at least somewhat!
Sources:
- RIDING ZEBRAS!
- Racehorse trainer earns his stripes by learning to ride a zebra
- Virginia teen buys, trains zebra
- Wild Horses Can’t be Broken: Zebra Domestication Attempts
- Pictures: 1 2 3 4
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