Why ‘Funny’ Viral Horse Content Often Isn’t Funny At All
Funny animal and horse videos are everywhere online. From ponies pulling faces to over-the-top antics, they fill our feeds and rack up millions of views. Yet behind the laughs, what appears as comedy to a viewer might be the horse signalling anxiety, pain, or confusion.
Researchers have highlighted this disconnect. A 2024 study by Stumpf et al., published in Animals found that viewers often miss or misread signs of suffering in animal videos. Less than half of participants reported regularly recognising when an animal in a clip was uncomfortable. The risk is simple: We normalise poor welfare as harmless entertainment. This gap highlights why stronger public and rider education is essential—without a clearer understanding of equine behaviour, welfare issues remain hidden in plain sight.
What the Research Reveals
A 2024 study in the journal Animals surveyed thousands of people about their perceptions of animal videos online. The findings confirm what many equestrians have long suspected: Viewers often fail to spot animal suffering in viral videos. In the survey, less than half of the respondents said they frequently noticed signs of animal distress. Meanwhile, a third believed they were watching animal well-being, even in footage that likely showed discomfort.
Crucially, people with more animal experience were better at spotting red flags. Participants with hands-on backgrounds in animal care, such as equestrians or veterinary professionals, identified stress or suffering far more reliably than those without. Those who consumed high volumes of funny animal content, without that experience, were more likely to misinterpret behaviours or miss issues altogether. Some even reported high confidence in their assessments—despite being wrong.
The takeaway is clear: Many viewers don’t see the problem. What reads as humour may, to the trained eye, indicate significant welfare compromise.
The Hidden Cost: Stress, Learned Helplessness and Imitation
When misrepresented horse behaviour is treated as entertainment, the consequences can be serious and snowball into lasting welfare problems.
Something perhaps not considered is how viral content can be misread as submission or progress. Further, it reshapes expectations of training and can even shifts the perceived standards of good horsemanship, and viewers may believe videos show desirable milestones rather than indicators of compromised welfare. Over time, these clips clips become normalised as acceptable—sometimes even aspirational.
This drift in perception influences real‑world practice. Well‑meaning owners may mimic what they see online, unaware that a behaviour framed as a “funny quirk” or a “training hack” is actually a welfare red flag, increasingly blurring the line between entertainment and education.
Elevating clear, correct interpretation of equine behaviour and training is essential. Because viral content doesn’t just entertain; it shapes norms. And ensuring those norms reflect welfare‑centric practice is one of the most important hidden costs to address.
Promoting Positive Equine Content
If we want better outcomes for horses, we must be more discerning in what we elevate. Rather than amplifying humour rooted in stress or discomfort, we can shift focus to those sharing high-quality, ethically sound horse work.
This means supporting content created by experienced professionals—coaches, behaviourists, veterinarians and skilled horsemen and women—who prioritise clarity, calmness and evidence-based methods. These individuals understand what horses need, recognise signs of physical and mental tension, and demonstrate handling that supports both welfare and performance.
There is no shortage of valuable content online. Thoughtful groundwork, relaxed schooling sessions, and well-explained training processes can all be engaging—and genuinely educational. These posts show what positive progress looks like: horses that are curious, soft, and willing. It’s a different kind of viral—but one that reflects better horsemanship. By elevating this kind of work, we also strengthen rider education by showing, clearly and consistently, what correct training and welfare-aligned behaviour truly look like.
And when we see a so-called funny horse video that raises red flags, we don’t have to share it to comment. Quietly reporting content that appears to show distress, or choosing not to interact at all, helps reduce its reach. Algorithms respond to engagement. We should be cautious about fuelling it.
Looking Forward
Funny horse content isn’t always what it seems. The 2024 study confirms that most viewers aren’t equipped to recognise distress in animal videos—and without that understanding, even well-meaning people can miss clear welfare concerns.
For equestrians, the message is twofold. First, we must continue to educate ourselves and others about the subtleties of equine behaviour. Second, we can help shape a more informed online space by modelling better engagement. That means praising calm, kind, consistent work—and questioning the clips that trade on confusion, coercion or fear.
Because the best horse content doesn’t just make us laugh, it makes us think. And it leaves the horse better for having been part of it. Every clip we engage with contributes to a wider culture of equestrian learning, shaping how riders, owners, and the broader public understand horses and their needs.
Source:
Stumpf, A., Herbrandt, S., Betting, L., Kemper, N., & Fels, M. (2024). Societal Perception of Animal Videos on Social Media—Funny Content or Animal Suffering? A Survey. Animals, 14(15): 2234.
