What does it mean to have
a meaningful relationship
with an animal
cats disdain us
except for feeding time
and when they seek
a comfortable lap
whilst dogs follow faithfully
and would sit on our grave
till we returned
but is there a deeper bond
than that between
the horse and rider
The Lone Ranger
the Republican wet dream
of a man free from government
rode Silver magnificently
across the plains
trusting him with his life
where a single gopher hole
could bring death
the anonymous Indians
bareback on anonymous mounts
were grudgingly allowed
their almost mystical mastery
of horseflesh but were
the enemy regardless
Must a horse be broken in
or is whispering
a kinder way to instil
a lifelong relationship
in a horse larger and stronger
than the man or woman
who they will permit to ride them
even into the din of battle
or the fracas of a hostile mob
I never rode a horse
the nearest being
a donkey ride up the steeps
of Santorini and I suffered
all the way to think
of my weight on this
patient, sturdy worker
but for a few moments
I had a glimpse
of what it might mean
to have a real relationship
with an animal…
© Andrew Wilson, 2024
Over at dVerse Poets Pub, dorahak in Poetics, invites us to write about horses…
The cowboy image, the Republican wet dream indeed, such a totally inaccurate representation of history.
I will argue with you about cats disdaining us though. 🙂
I haven’t ridden a horse either since “pony rides” as a child, but I can imagine that bond, too.
Cats look down on us, dogs look up to us, but pigs is equal… (Old English saying LOL)
Yes, the relationship between a horse and its rider seems to be mystical, beyond the realms of labels.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts, Andrew.
Thank you Punam, they were a bit random but I think they hang together…
You are welcome. They do.
I share your ideas, I think. The horse is majestic, but I hate the idea of then being ‘broken’ in. If we love them so much, we shouldn’t ride them. I’m sure they hate it. That’s why we invented bits and spurs. And the donkeys that are forced to cart great obese lumps of lard in the blazing sun. Frankly, that is obscene.
I was at my working weight back then, before breaking my hip, but I am 6’2″ and though the donkey coped and was probably used to worse – never again…
I love how your ruminations begin with a question and end on its same wistful note, Andrew. The inherent mystery of man’s relationship with animals, honing in on horses, cats, dogs, donkey, is brought to the fore in practical terms but also in affection and recognition of the mystical. This is some good poetry!
Thank you so much, Dora, it was a very quick effort and with longer to write it might have been better but I am trying to be more distilled so write long and edit down perhaps…
I can relate to all of the questions you ask in your writing. I also have done little in the way of riding a horse. However, it has been just enough to understand a little of the horse / human relationship. However, if I had my way they would be left to their natural habitat to be the magnificent wild things they really are. Thanks for your reflection on the prompt. I enjoyed the thinking it stimulated. Thanks also for reminding me of a childhood favourite, The Lone Ranger.
Thanks, Sean – always good to be reminded of childhood favourites even if one’s adult comprehension might be a little different…
I too have only had a glimpse of what it must be like to have a relationship with a creature as noble and capable as a horse. I briefly saw the great magnetism between man and such a beast. You describe your experience well. However, I still feel that wild things should run free when that can be.
Hi Andrew, this is an interesting poem. I rode horses for several years. It was part of my dad’s dream that his girls would all be able to ride a horse, sail a boat, change a tire, and fly a plane. I never learned to fly a plane but I have been a passenger in many small planes.
What a great Dad aspiration, Robbie! I was in the Air cadets at school and flew as often as I could and although I could probably fly a plane – landing might be a bit hairy…
Horses are amazing animals, the way they check in with their person and adapt to a person, the way they sit, etc. I think if they allow us to share in that with them, it isn’t bad.
I agree – there may be better and worse ways of creating the lifelong bond of domestication and horses can be well looked after or abused, but watching the results of the best of practice, it seems to me that there is something very special for both parties…