Our interactions and ministrations in the care of a horse show him (or her) just what we believe he wants and needs. How can we be accurate in the assessment of equine requirements? Are we focused upon merely keeping him alive or is his life an extension of our own desires? Somewhere between assumptions/projections and minimalization will lie the truth of a horse’s needs.
He will not consider brass plated hinges and latches to be necessary. Confinement in a beautifully paneled stall, no matter how large, clean and “comfortable” we may consider it to be, will not be high on his priority list. The effort put into making stables that appeal to humans might not actually be in the horse’s best interest.
He requires forage, friends and freedom. A horse is a herd animal designed to eat small amounts of forage constantly while in motion. The effort we put into making his life fit our schedules, our needs, our lifestyle is not necessarily of value for his innate nature. Things like beautiful tack (saddles and bridles) mean very little to a horse… he just cares if it fits and is comfortable.
All the effort we might put into making his surroundings appealing to our own eyes might mean diddly to a horse if he does not have comfort, health and joy in his life. The extra effort of mucking a shavings-filled box stall won’t mean as much to him as the value of living a natural life in motion with others of his own species. We might work hard in our desire to provide for him. We might spend huge amounts of money on supplements and medicines to correct the imbalances caused by lack of exercise, improper diet (one that is not species specific) and/or lack of fresh air. The shoes applied to “correct” pathologies exacerbate those imbalances and keep the hooves disconnected from the Earth. A three- or four-hundred-dollar shoe job (or more!) is an expression of effort… the value is questionable when a barefooted horse becomes sound and comfortable with varied terrain, movement and proper diet.
Our horse care and management must be safe, simple and consistent. Fences need visibility and to be as safe as possible. If they are gorgeous, too, that’s great! As long as they surround an area large enough for real movement and enrichment. Shelters need to be accessible and sturdy. Feed and water containers need to be clean and safe. Beyond basics, the horse has no need for impressive features.
To me, a proper stable yard meets the horse’s needs. The horse is safe, comfortable, well fed (and properly fed), has companions, has joy, is not stressed, not pushed physically or mentally and is glad to see his humans.
Stablewomen 