When Horses Speak and Humans Listen

In their own unique way horses “speak” and have been “speaking” to humans for centuries, yet most of us have chosen not to “listen” to them. Instead, we humans have insisted on speaking rather than listening, on telling horses what to do or not to, how to do or not do it and when. And we humans have done so not only with our voice but also with an array of metal, leather and plastic devices many of which would not look out of place in a sadomasochistic dungeon or a torture chamber of the Spanish Inquisition.
Over the years I have been a close observer and student of horses, my own and others, in various parts of the world. During the past decade, in particular, horses have been instrumental in fundamentally changing my life and outlook on it. In the course of this process I have written a number of articles reflecting what I have learned from and about horses while listening to them speak. Based on feedback from others also committed to the well-being of the horse, I have edited and reworked them. The resultant articles have acquired a form which will hopefully contribute to our understanding of these magnificent creatures and the capacity they have to help us become more sensitive, caring, nurturing, reliable and dependable friends to them, ourselves, the earth and all to whom it is home.