>>865

>I believe that because we cannot obtain consent, we violate a certain kind of duty of respect, one which is not outweighed by the gain in our or others well being (benificence, self-betterment duties).  In other words, we have a duty to obtain consent.  We cannot do so with an animal (or with other agents such as severely disabled humans), so it is not moral for us to engage in such activites.

But how can we justify using horses for horseback riding?  The animal cannot consent to it.  Is there an absolute "need" for horseback riding by humans that is justified enough that the horses' lack of consent does not matter?