What are the facts about ostrich riding?

February 26, 2022 10:55 AM

The Chandler Ostrich Festival is coming up and this has sparked some new pondering in our household. We would like to query anyone familiar with ostrich riding.

My husband has a visual memory of someone riding an ostrich or an ostrich-like bird. Googling the ins and outs has just led me to spammy seo type sites. Has ostrich riding ever been a mode of transport? Is it cruel to the birds and/or are their physiques suited at all to carrying a burden equivalent to a human? Could my husband be thinking of a different bird that has been used for transport?

posted by Tandem Affinity to Pets & Animals (8 answers total)

Best answer: Is it cruel to the birds and/or are their physiques suited at all to carrying a burden equivalent to a human?

I can't read the article, since it's Washington Post, but here's one saying that the practice is going by the wayside because it's considered cruel.

This Huffington Post article lists ostriches as one of the five animals you should never ride - again, this is related to cruelty concerns.

In their Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism, the ABTA (formerly the Association of British Travel Agents) lists ostrich riding under "Unacceptable practices involving animals in captive situations."
posted by FencingGal at 11:19 AM on February 26, 2022 [6 favorites]

Is it possible he is thinking of a fictional situation?

There is evidence that it was a thing in Jacksonville, Florida for a minute.

The birds are entirely made of claws and beak. I can't imagine having the audacity to approach an ostrich, let alone ride one.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 11:25 AM on February 26, 2022 [2 favorites]

I mean… I’ve seen it at the State Fair of Texas so it’s definitely a thing.
posted by MadamM at 3:38 PM on February 26, 2022 [3 favorites]

It also happened at the Exotic Animal race nights at a race track where I previously lived. I guess my question is this is clearly a widespread thing- are you asking if ostriches have ever been used as a functional form of transportation vs. just for racing and shows?
posted by MadamM at 3:43 PM on February 26, 2022 [1 favorite]

Well, IANY Ostrich Riding Professional, but I play one in Photoshop.
posted by pH Indicating Socks at 6:02 PM on February 26, 2022 [4 favorites]

South African reporting in. Ostriches come from here. It used to be possible to ride them at the ostrich farms, but only as a entertainment for tourists. The ride is very short. The places that offered this, no longer do because of animal cruelty concerns.
They are not physically or emotionally suited to carrying humans.
I have met an ostrich unexpectedly, on a walk. It was an intimidating experience.
posted by Zumbador at 7:49 PM on February 26, 2022 [7 favorites]

The 1960s Disney movie swiss family Robinson features ostrich riding. (Well, mostly attempting to ride an ostrich).

It used to be on Network TV through the 80s at least when I had childhood memories of seeing the movie, until I rewatched it recently. It's possible that's where he remembered seeing ostrich riding.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:05 AM on February 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: We do think it must be a memory of Swiss Family Robinson, and we’re happy to hear that ostrich riding seems not to be rising in popularity.

Thanks - I knew we could find some answers here when I couldn’t find them elsewhere!!
posted by Tandem Affinity at 7:50 PM on February 28, 2022 [1 favorite]