05/27/2023
Humans had a better horse 200 years ago.
Now this might not be a popular opinion, but 200 years ago, horses were different.
So much has changed in the last 200 years regarding horses, horse ownership, their purpose in our lives and how we handle them. I’d argue that 90% of it is for the better, of the horse. Horses are by far safer and handled in much more humane ways, although there is still cruelty no doubt. I’d argue it’s not near as rampant as maybe even 50 years ago. We have learned so much, and the world is far better for the horses. But, I’d say not so for many of the humans who share time with them.
We chose horses back then on “usability”. They had to be sound in body and mind.
They had to have a solid hoof, strong legs, and confirmation suitable for work.
They had to be SOUND.
A horse that was lame, or had a tendency to go lame did not stay in the ranks, and he certainly did not stay around to breed the next generation.
They had to be GENTLE.
A horse with a tendency to be a problem did not get thousands of chances as many do today. Behavioral problems were not tolerated. He just needed to work and get with the program. If he could not do that, he again, was not kept around and certainly did not breed the next generation.
A horse that was either lame or not of a gentle nature was, to put bluntly, discarded. He was likely sold as dog food, or glue, or even for human consumption. Arguably his life was not wasted. We all have dogs to feed and when people are hungry you sacrifice the horse. But a horse was not kept around to be a potential danger to a human or to waste hard earned money on feed for a horse that couldn’t work.
I’m not here to argue whether this was “right or wrong”. We simply live in a different time and we can afford a gentler and more humane life for our horses. And we should.
However… We lost something. I feel in so many ways, because of this we have lost our “gentle and faithful servant”. Not always, but in a lot of cases. Let me explain.
As someone who was a coach and trainer for hobby horse owners the thing I saw more than anything was people who had purchased way too much horse.
Horses that have severe behavioral issues or long term chronic health and lameness problems. And I truly believe its because we don’t have a basis for “need” when breeding or buying horses anymore. Horses in this country are a hobby. There are loads of people that make a living in the horse world, but the vast majority of horse owners have horses as a hobby.
And they can do what they want.
If their horse isn’t sound, they can breed it. They have a car.
If their horse can only handle training at a snail's pace, it doesn't matter. They have nowhere to be. No job to get done.
If the horse is dangerous, it doesn't matter. She’s sure pretty in the pasture.
We have created an abundance of horses that are physical and behavioral money pits.
And then we’ve created a culture where people are guilted into keeping these horses at all costs.
The cost of their health.
The cost of their safety.
The cost of their time.
The cost of their financial stability.
The cost of their life.
Now again, I’m not here to argue what’s “right or wrong” on a philosophical level of keeping horses, and what their purpose to humans is.
I just know I see a lot of people overwhelmed. I see a lot of people scared. I see a lot of horses unsuitable for friendship and service to humans. And I see a lot of people contributing to a chronic overpopulation problem without thought to where that horse will be in 20 years.
I see a shift in the paradigm. Where it may be a lot better for the horses. But maybe not so for their human caretakers.
