In the wake of a current (June 2024) news story, where an owner of beach ride donkeys has placed a weight limit on riders, it is good to see that the welfare of his animals comes first.
The widespread public support of his decision has also been very heartening to see.
This might be a good time for us to consider why action like this has been felt necessary.
We don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that the UK currently has an obesity epidemic. Recent statistics (Feb 2024) state that obesity costs the NHS around £6.5 billion per year and is the second biggest preventable cause of cancer
Sadly, we have all been at the mercy of those companies who manufacture highly processed foods, which are specifically designed to activate dopamine release in our brains.
This ‘molecule of more’ feeds our cravings time and time again, usually in the absence of healthy nutrients. Children and adults alike, are susceptible and overeating poor quality food has become the norm.
For the sake of everyone’s health, especially those who wish to enjoy the absolute privilege of riding – and of course the animals who carry them, we need more help for people who struggle to make healthy choices.
We are currently exploring ways to highlight this important subject and we welcome any thoughts or ideas.
