Most intelligent beings are curious. Most intelligent beings also have a sense of fun, or play drive. Horses are no exception.

 

We have observed over the years that - as a general rule - wild born horses will, by nature, investigate before deciding whether to stay and continue grazing, tackle a threat, or run. The herd will often gather and move towards a potential threat rather than immediately bolt the other way. They'll check it out, or at least send a couple of scouts to check it out. Domestically bred horses (we have a few), are not always so circumspect or brave, although some definitely are. It's almost like, after generations of being bred and handled by man in smaller herds or as single horses, they're losing a bit of their decision-making ability. Or more perhaps their wild instincts. I see that in man as well...we are losing our 'wild born' instincts. Our belief in our 'gut reaction'. Our ability to read others and ourselves. Our extrasensory perception. 

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I find that a bit sad.

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Over the years here at Wadi Farm, we've watched the wild born, rescued horses pass on their instincts to their offspring. The young ones have learned - largely by observation - which plants to eat and which to avoid, what other animals are friendly or not, and which ones can be played with, or not. We've seen foals chase ducks and rabbits as well as each other. We've seen grown horses round up and chase cattle for sport in the paddock. We've watched them chase emus and kangaroos when the mood takes them. A young friend and I were also once privileged enough to be protected from several bolshy young male emus by three of our two year olds. The horses saw the big birds trying to have a go at us in our big paddock, and - lead by a determined filly and a young gelding (Rose and Nelson) - came galloping over to chase the emus away and escort us to safety. 

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Over the years I've managed to take a few photos of our horses interacting with other species. Click on the photos in the gallery below for a closer look. Unless it looks as if any creature is going to be seriously injured, we tend to let these interactions happen. The horses are just being themselves, the other wildlife are just doing what they do, and our property is large enough to cope with what happens when they all meet up. Life needs to be allowed to happen. Resilience is learned.

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There is a wonderful book written by a very insightful author, Jeanne Willis, which beautifully sums up my personal feelings about the boundaries we put around our children and our animals in this day and age. Don't get me wrong - boundaries are important, as is discipline, consistency, tolerance and love. You find all these things in the herd after all. I do think, however, that our human world needs to be careful we don't go to extremes. Life is about balance.

 

Here at Wadi Farm, we make a point of giving our animals space to make choices and learn to take risks, even if that sometimes results in minor injuries. It's the only way they can truly learn and grow - by working it out for themselves. We want them (as much as is possible in domesticity) to maintain their wild hearts. We respect their base natures. It just wouldn't feel right if we didn't.

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"They caught all the wild children,
and put them in zoos.
They made them do sums
and wear sensible shoes.
They put them to bed
at the wrong time of day,
And made them sit still
when they wanted to play.
They scrubbed them with soap
and they made them eat peas.
They made them behave and
say 'pardon' and 'please'.
They took all their wisdom
and wildness away.

That's why there are none
in the forests today."

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~ Jeanne Willis, from 'Wild Child'

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