Would you consider animal handling skills to be a martial art?

[wolfeyes2323]

I know Steve Irwin was reported to have done MMA. Lots of biologists or specialized animal services jobs require handling dangerous animals, either in captivity or in the wild. It takes a large degree of skill to handle a venomous snake or a large crocodilian without getting seriously injured. Would you consider these to be martial arts?

I practice karate, Kobudo, Archery and Mounted Archery. As far as the relationship between horse and rider goes, it definitely is a facet of martial arts , although not a martial art in and of its self. Horse and rider share a physical connection as well as a energetic connection and a mental connection, there is a lot of give and take between horse and rider. I am also a Hunter, My preferred method is Archery, this involves a understanding of how the animal thinks, and the use of strategy in stalking , as well as the use of specific tactics, In this sense it uses MA understanding. I do not know about other Critters , but I will say the martial mind and understanding is used when dealing with animals , although because the goals of MA , Character development and virtues associated with them I don't think that simply handling animals is a MA , unless you add these otherwise missing elements.

 

[Cynik75]

Fighting a bear with bare hands (and feet):

https://www.reddit.com/r/fightporn/comments/10mzglg

 

[Gerry Seymour]

I know Steve Irwin was reported to have done MMA. Lots of biologists or specialized animal services jobs require handling dangerous animals, either in captivity or in the wild. It takes a large degree of skill to handle a venomous snake or a large crocodilian without getting seriously injured. Would you consider these to be martial arts?

No. There’s definitely some overlap in some cases, and MA training might help (I’m certainly using my training when play-fighting my dogs), but I don’t know of an animal handling discipline with roots in war, combat, or fighting, other than some equestrianism.

 

[skribs]

No. There’s definitely some overlap in some cases, and MA training might help (I’m certainly using my training when play-fighting my dogs), but I don’t know of an animal handling discipline with roots in war, combat, or fighting, other than some equestrianism.

K9?

 

[Gerry Seymour]

K9?

Good point. That could cross into MA, depending how we define it.

 

[Darren]

I know Steve Irwin was reported to have done MMA. Lots of biologists or specialized animal services jobs require handling dangerous animals, either in captivity or in the wild. It takes a large degree of skill to handle a venomous snake or a large crocodilian without getting seriously injured. Would you consider these to be martial arts?

Martial arts does not have teeth, claws nor fangs! I will take martial arts any day!!!

 

[skribs]

Martial arts does not have teeth, claws nor fangs! I will take martial arts any day!!!

Martial artists certainly do have teeth, and nails.

 

[Darren]

Martial artists certainly do have teeth, and nails.

Believe you are right!!!

 

[geezer]

Good point. That could cross into MA, depending how we define it.

Since you guys have brought up horses and dogs, I would add that there are several types of animals that have been used in warfare over the millenia. I would think that skills in handling these animals in battle would definitely qualify as a martial art. Here are two more: falcons and elephants.

Elephants must be tough to control in battle, but when used, they were the Tiger tanks of their time:

Falcons and eagles are far more useful in sport hunting, and probably too valuable (and vulnerable) to use in all out battle. Still, I'd bet that falconers have used their birds to attack people at some point or another, like this:

 

[Gerry Seymour]

Since you guys have brought up horses and dogs, I would add that there are several types of animals that have been used in warfare over the millenia. I would think that skills in handling these animals in battle would definitely qualify as a martial art. Here are two more: falcons and elephants.

Elephants must be tough to control in battle, but when used, they were the Tiger tanks of their time:

Falcons and eagles are far more useful in sport hunting, and probably too valuable (and vulnerable) to use in all out battle. Still, I'd bet that falconers have used their birds to attack people at some point or another, like this:

Agreed. If any of those disciplines were followed (including falconry for warfare use, rather than hunting) that would qualify as MA.

 

[Tez3]

It's still done by the Cavalry units here, it's a good skill and is used for displays, tattoos etc. The Canadian Mounties do it too.

British Tentpegging Association - Horseback Mounted Skill at Arms

The UK's National Governing Body for the extreme equestrian sport of tentpegging and mounted skill at arms. Also know as neza bazi, our site offers tent pegging news, competitions, training events and info on how to get started with your horse

www.britishtentpegging.co.uk

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Is animal handling a martial art? Dunno. I saw a movie once where somebody threw a cat at another person. Claws first. I guess that would count. Kinda mean to the cat though.

Here's another question. Is cat throwing science?

Sasaki Kojiro had a monkey that he threw at someone during a duel.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

View attachment 29537

Apparently there is a trick to it.

In this case, the trick is to pick an animal with no teeth.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

Are you handling the animal, or actively fighting it? If I'm training to square off against a bear then yeah I'm probably training martial arts (the martial art probably wouldn't be "Bear-fighting", it'd be wrestling I'm using in that context). If I'm keeping a snake from biting me, not necessarily.

That very much depends on the snake species and size.

 

[Wing Woo Gar]

It makes me think of something else, but I'm a terrible person.

Lol!

 

[Gyakuto]

The Samurai ‘Bugei Juhappan’ or 18 martial arts that they were supposed to be fluent within included horsemanship (Bujutsu)

• Kyūjutsu, archery.

• Sōjutsu, fighting with a yari (spear).

• Kenjutsu, fencing.

• Iaijutsu, sword-drawing.

• Tantōjutsu, knife-fighting.

• Juttejutsu, fighting with a jutte (truncheon).

• Shurikenjutsu, throwing shuriken.

• Naginatajutsu, fighting with a polearm, usually a naginata.

• Hōjutsu, shooting (with firearms).

• Bōjutsu, fighting with a bō (staff).

• Kusarigamajutsu, fighting with a chain-and-sickle.

• Hojōjutsu, tying up an opponent.

• Bajutsu, horseriding.

• Suieijutsu, swimming in armour.

• Ninjutsu, espionage.[citation needed]

Other arts that were often included in the list are:

• Chikujōjutsu, fortifying a castle against siege.

• Yawara, wrestling.

• Fukumibarijutsu, needle-spitting.

• Yabusame, mounted archery.

• Mōjirijutsu, fighting with a barbed staff.[6][page needed]

• Yadomejutsu, deflecting flying arrows.

• Saiminjutsu, hypnotism.[7]

• Jūjutsu, grappling and fighting unarmed.

 

[Zombocalypse]

I don't think I can answer this question but let me just say... This is a very intriguing question.