Owning horses/owning animals. A right? No. A responsibility? Absolutely.
It's a commitment to yourself as much as to your horse, or dog, or bird, etc. The same with any relationship. These are seeing, feeling sentient beings. There shouldn't be any grey areas with animals or animal welfare, and commitment to yourself about that is as important as commitment to the animals, because it's about self-worth and self-care as well. When it comes to things like farming and eating animals, it's also about how we as a society see ourselves. Are we greedy or humane? Are we respectful as a body, or self-centred? Remember...each one of us contributes to the whole.
It's not about control. It's about learning to let go. It's about consensual decision-making, trust, connection and mutual respect. It's about integrating yourself into that web of life, one relationship at a time. A network of support that you can trust, rather than the domination of a single or few creatures. Wouldn't it be nice to know that nature has your back? That your horse or dog has your back? Then have theirs, and go in there with that intent. Compassion. Care. Respect. "Do unto others..."
That said, there is also something else to remember...
“People don’t need to be saved or rescued. People need knowledge of their own power and how to access it.”
(The Mind Unleashed)
This is the best attitude to take with horses too. Feeling compassion and holding space for animals in your care is very different to feeling sorry for them and coddling them. Feeling sorry for an animal or a human is a personal indulgence which expends valuable energy and I don't believe it helps that particular being. "It's a relationship, not a love affair" is the one to remember with horses. Feeling sorry for a rescued or traumatised animal only helps keep it locked in that state, unable to progress. Help them heal by looking forward, not back. Respect their species. Respect their story but don't dwell on it. It's not healthy for them or you.
As it is with humans and indeed all sentient beings...in everything that you do...
"Remember, it's a privilege, not a right."
