Circle F Horse Rescue

Horses & Community - By Walter Paetkau

I was one of a number of thought leaders at a seminar in late September. We were asked to “Imagine Abbotsford”. This is an exercise being held in a number of B.C. communities led by Simon Fraser University and a local board. It is a three year process involving a variety of different citizens over a period of time to explore a vision of a healthy community and what it could look like 10, 20 or 30 years into the future. 

When introducing myself to the group I mentioned I was retired from Abbotsford Community Services and was now actively involved with Circle F Horse Rescue. At the end of the session I was talking to one of the facilitators and commented on how the world of horses can teach us about being a healthy community. She was intrigued by this and later asked whether I could send her a story as she was not taking notes at the time.

Horses do best when they live in their natural environment. They have access to pasture and turn out space. They have a shelter that is safe, secure from the elements, well ventilated and clean. They have access to clean water and are provided hay and supplements. They are looked after on a regular once or twice a day basis, unless they are on an open range. They are exercised and kept in good form. They prefer to be together in a small herd or to have a companion.

Humans have much the same needs. We like to have freedom and space. We want adequate shelter and food. We like to be in a community that looks after one another. We like our daily needs met. We also prefer not to live in isolation. We want family and friends around us. We also want activity and to be kept in good form. Humans, as horses, do best when in their natural environment of freedom and community.

Horses require leadership. In a herd there is normally an alpha mare. She provides leadership by keeping everyone in line. She is usually firm but not mean. The other horses recognize her leadership and are responsive to it. It is interesting that when working with a horse, the horse expects its owner, rider or trainer to be the “alpha” leader if there is to be respect in the relationship. The horse wants leadership from its owner, confidence, and an assurance that the owner knows what is best for the horse.

When building community the human situation is no different. The majority of people respond to confident, respectful, consistent and knowledgeable leadership. If they get that kind of leadership the community will thrive and be at peace. If leadership is uncertain and inconsistent, disrespect and dissension will soon follow as it does in the horse world.

Horses do best when they are able to live their potential. This will vary from horse to horse. For some it may mean relaxation on a pasture or an occasional ride by its owner. For others it will mean regular work outs to strengthen the body and to prepare the horse for competition, trail riding, jumping and other pleasure pursuits. If bored, a horse may resort to chewing fence rails or cribbing at something in its stall.
Humans, too, when left unchallenged can become lethargic and uncooperative. A healthy community comes about when people are fully engaged.

Horses are not future oriented. If they get proper care and stimulation one day seems to move into the next. While humans are often future oriented as in “imagining Abbotsford” thirty years into the future, they can catch from the horses that the present is the most important moment. I am often amazed at how quickly time flies when working with horses. That likely has to do with being fully engaged in the present. Active, daily, quality engagement assures a stable future.

Horses are transparent. They do not live in a world of pretence. What you see is what you get. One builds from there. Among humans, however, we tend to shuffle and slide and take an inordinate amount of time to understand each other and to get on with things. This can be a time consuming problem when building a healthy community.

In building good, consistent work habits with a horse repetition is the key. Good working habits need to be repeated time after time until they become part of the daily routine of the horse.

Similarly, in developing a healthy community, sound principles and action need to be repeated constantly until they become engrained as a natural way of living community.

Horses are forgiving and trusting. Much as one wants to do their best when working with a horse, mistakes are made. A horse may resist the attempt at the time but is always ready to go at it again.

When building community this is one of our biggest challenges, to be forgiving when things don’t always go the way we want them to and to trust that people will give of their best when given the opportunity.

I am sure there are other parallels between the horse world and the human world. Give this some thought when you work with your horse. It will enrich your understanding of community and well being. 

Visit Circle F’s web site at www.circlef.ca