francene--blog. Year 2013
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August 19th

8/19/2013

 
Yesterday, a horse rider from New Zealand died after a fall at an eventing competition in Cheshire. Olympic riders from several countries had been attending the trials at the River Dane valley site since Friday. The Somerford Park international in Congleton was abandoned after the itragic ncident which reminds of how precious life is.

City dwellers have little contact with horses apart from sport. They are missing out on the wonderful relationship that has developed between species.

However, I live in a semi-rural area with a strip of cottages beside part of the old Roman road called Watling Street, which leads out of Borehamwood towards London. Horse fields attached to a riding stable back the properties. At the front, past the busy road and a strip of tall horse chestnut trees, open fields stretch into the distance. The land belongs to Lord Aldernham. Horses roam semi-free on the grassland. Some are domesticated and some are shaggy-haired and big-footed. The Lord has refused permission for archaeologists to explore the area, so it remains a quiet place of peace.

Picturewww.dailymail.co.uk
The link between horse and man has existed since around 3500-4000 B.C.E., according to archaeological evidence of mixed equine and human remains in burial sites.  The long history has made the association all the stronger, and today, nearly 6,000 years later, there is still a link which some call spiritual. It is estimated that there are 59 million horses across the globe.

Throughout human history, our collaboration with horses has given many advantages. Horses are trained to be ridden or driven in a variety of sporting events.


Picturewww.horsenation.com
As a child over 60 years ago, I lived in Melbourne, Australia. One of the highlights of a Sunday outing was to visit the museum, where I became acquainted with the form of Pharlap, the Australian wonder horse of racing fame, preserved for posterity.

Even without the competitive edge, horseback riding is relaxing, inspiring, and exhilarating. Horses are used for transportation, as an advantage in warfare, to convey search and rescue teams into rough terrain, and for labor-intensive careers such as cattle ranching. The benefits of horsemanship in the area of therapy and recovery can be reaped by people of all ages, including those with physical and mental disabilities. Recent studies have shown that interaction with horses can improve the behavior of inmates and discourage a repetition of previous crimes.


Pictureblogs.pshcycentral.com
Horses' grace, dignity, beauty and intelligence, coupled with their majestic size, is simply awe-inspiring. The historical admiration for horses has seeped into our global consciousness.

It has been theorized that domestication saved the species on the Eurasian continent, when they died out in the Western Hemisphere at the end of the last Ice Age.

Are horses prisoners or a clever species that know how to survive by allowing mankind to feed and shelter them?


Sophie Bowns link
8/18/2013 09:12:44 pm

Oh God! I hadn't heard about that horse rider! I am off to Google it now!

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 03:09:13 am

So sad. After all that training. At least he died doing what he loved.

Rachel Lavern link
8/19/2013 03:29:16 am

What a dreadful accident! For years, I have heard people say that horses are probably the dumbest animal created. Now, I don't know very much about horses because I one ride them when I am on vacationing (mostly via guided tours). My experience with them has been positive and, for the most part, I have thought of them as loving, trusting animals.

Rachel recently posted <a href="http://workfromyourhome101.com/are-chains-holding-you-back/">What Chains Are Holding You Back?</a>

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 06:20:26 pm

Rather than dumb, horses are said to be highly intelligent. Many mistake simplicity for a lack of intelligence. What a wonderful world if we could all approach life with simple goodness.

JoAnna Ashley link
8/19/2013 03:36:58 am

It was sad to read of the rider passing. However, the rest of the article was fascinating to read the connection between horses and humans. Thanks for sharing :)

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 06:21:24 pm

This link between horses and humans is part of our history, which I always find interesting.

Amy link
8/19/2013 09:16:19 am

Francene, a very interesting post, as always! My opinion is that horses probably benefit from the relationship with humans, as long as the humans in question are kind and good to them. They don't have to compete with other wild horses for sustenance, they have the privilege of learning new skills, and surely their lifespans are longer? We used to have horses, and I never really got to the point where I was 100% comfortable around them. They are big animals and the potential for getting hurt around them cannot be ignored!

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 06:22:55 pm

Hehe. It sounds like you're cautious, like I am. I love and appreciate the gentle strength in the animals, but remain wary of their hooves.

Alana link
8/19/2013 09:27:18 am

I grew up in New York City, and my sole exposure to horses was a one-time pony ride at the Bronx Zoo. But I also had the opportunity, at that same zoo, to ride a camel - which I would never, ever, ever, do again. The pony ride didn't do much for me, either - I was someone who was never attracted to horses to begin with - too big, too scary. When I lived in the country, I never even thought of owning one. Francene, another (as usual) informative post.

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 06:24:01 pm

I'd rather look at them too, which is easy to do through my window in the safety of my home.

Suerae Stein link
8/19/2013 09:33:45 am

You pose a very thought provoking question, which could be asked of many human-animal relationships. Sadly, animals are often overworked, overused, abused, labored for the sole purpose of greed rather than a love of the species. In my opinion, horses have little choice than to succumb to human needs, and one can only hope that those needs are satisfied with caring and compassion. great post. I'm sorry to hear about the tragic accident.

Francene Stanley link
8/19/2013 06:25:11 pm

Unfortunately for some animals, humans are the dominant species.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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