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The Bond of Horse and Rider

© Marta Towne

Horses are, in my humble opinion, one of the most interesting, useful and beautiful creatures in the world. For untold centuries, horse have been used to assist humans and perform work faster and more efficiently than humans could do it alone. From transportation to farm work, horses have been a major part of human life. Even in these modern times we use a reference to horses as a way to determine power, horsepower, that is.

For years before the creation of the automobile, horses were the major, and indeed often the only, way to get from point A to point B. People relied on these loyal and generous creatures for everything from a trip to church, to a trip "out west". And from the beginning of our relationship, we have sought to develop a deep and continuous bond with our transportation.

Horses today are often seen as luxuries, and indeed, for most of us they are. But to our ancestors, the horse was vital. One of the things that made the horse so much preferable to the alternatives was the bond that grew between the animals and the riders. Horses are, at heart, loyal and willing. A horse that is cared for and treated fairly will return the treatment. And the bond that develops between a caring rider and a horse has always been and still is today, something to be proud of and rely on. It is more than friendship or the feeling we tend to have toward a loyal pet, it is deeper and much more basic. It is a bond we can, and frequently have, trusted with our life.

When you own, or are owned by (as the case may be), a horse, you have a basic responsibility to treat him as a fellow creature worthy of love and respect. But he is also a partner to be relied on. He will carry you through the hottest desert, up the highest mountain and through rivers that cause him to quiver in fear and strain. He will put aside his terror to do as you ask, and his only reward is a pat on the neck, a gentle word and sufficient food to live on. Where else can you find such devotion?

He has hauled water and food; carried woman and children; herded cows and sheep; and then, at the end of the day, he is there, ready and willing to keep on doing as you ask. In our history, only the dog has ever shown itself to be worthy of such devotion and praise. Indeed, they are much alike. The difference being a dog worships you, and a horse worships with you. A horse is a full partner in life. The trials we undertake are made easier with a horse to carry us and our possessions.