Is The Relationship Between Human and Horse Mystical?

by: Jo Singer, LCSW

Picture: thanks to Jmuhjacat

The excellent and inspiring articles written by Pat Forde and  Melissa Isaacson, (below)  got me to thinking about the mystical and deep connection between horses and humans. Horses can take one's breath away! We can fall in love with them deeply, as we enter into a rich and powerful relationship with them We can be moved to tears just seeing a beautiful horse galloping in a field, free, mane flowing, nostrils flared, whinnying with delight and pleasure. We can be touched deeply when seeing a mare with her foal.

I often wonder what touches us so profoundly in this rather unique relationship that we have with horses. Small, domesticated animals have shared our homes and hearts and have become companions to us, often in a more trusting and caring manner than our relationship with our fellow human beings. Often they are our soul mates. We confide in them, we share our deepest secrets with them. They keep us company while we are sick, make no demands or judgments, and they become teachers for us in our capacity to give and receive unconditional love. Often we develop an anthropomorphic relationship where we attribute human qualities to our pets.

Our connection with horses, on the other hand, is often one that is devoted to sports, pleasure riding, equine competition and other related activities. This being said, many people who share their lives with horses love them deeply and can form very deep bond with them. This got me to thinking about the anthropomorphic component in these relationships or, if we unconsciously resonate to aspects of their beauty, strength, courage and power. We cannot recognize what we do not possess in ourselves so perhaps the horse is that great mirror which permits us to become more aware of these aspects in our personalities. So perhaps, with this understanding, the way in which we view our horses can lead to a more profound communication with them.

We  partner with horses.  We can try and dominate them. We can inspire their athletic abilities, and we can break their spirit. It is the skilled and patient person who can genuinely tickle out the talent, willingness and desire to please us for which the horse is famous.

The horse has been a companion to humans for ages. This relationship has existed for over 50,000 years,and while it originated as a source of food for people, it soon evolved to serve as a means for travel, warfare, and hunting. Through many years of evolution, the horse became a very special part of our lives.   Driving horses preceded actual "riding" but as the partnership between equine and human evolved, riding horses became commonplace.

(See a really thorough history of the horse- The International Museum Of The Horse)

Then we started using horses in sport. Racing, Rodeo, Polo, Hunter/Jumpers,Dressage and pleasure riding are just some of the countless equine related activities at the present time, evolving from our history "using" horses to serve us.

Of course we fell in love with our horses. And they loved us. There are countless books and legends about this topic; the cowboy and his horse, the child and his/her pony, the warrior and his steed. All of this has become a rich part the tapestry of our connections with horses.

I, personally, have had the extreme pleasure and honor to have shared my life with three wonderful horses. While they never became "cuddly lap pets" of course (although it would have been wonderful), they occupied a huge part of my life and heart. They were my confidants, my soul mates, the reason for me to get up at times, and all of them gave me special gifts. Two of them contributed to children with special needs, as they participated in the Riding For The Handicapped program. Those horses loved andprotected their small charges. And the relationship was healing to the children, many of whom walked and talked as a direct result of this "therapy." It is far better to be on a warm horse than a machine.

So when Barbaro was injured so tragically, and so seriously, the outpouring of well wishes, prayers and concern touched me deeply. But I felt it was much more than his just being an extremely talented racehorse --more than a potential Triple Crown winner, he represented something so awesomely powerful and touched millions of people.We may have connected with the wounded parts of ourselves. 

For a moment the world stopped and came together powerfully in prayer and well wishes. There was a cause that was common to so many of us, not only horse lovers. And these well wishes continue as Barbaro recovers. It is almost like I am personally connected with this horse that I never will touch, but his huge and brave heart has most certainly touched mine, and many, many more.

So I continue to add updates to my journal as I find them. And I continue to ask for prayers to be left here. We all are participating in Barbaro's recovery. and this has to have a very powerful effect on the outcome. Let's make it so!

Picture by M00NLTSNTA- Rosi- With Thanks.