| A horse can be regarded as more than an animal to | | | | If one horse approaches from behind, the horse who is |
| ride, more than a hobby. A horse owner can love that | | | | crowded might kick out with one hind leg and |
| animal as easily as he can love a dog. The main | | | | sometimes both. |
| reason for purchasing a horse is to ride but the horse | | | | The remaining horses might turn to observe or simply |
| human relationship is much more than that. When a | | | | continue grazing. Some will never fight even if |
| small child looks up and says, "Your horse is beautiful" | | | | provoked. Others seem to enjoy being disagreeable. |
| the horse owner is filled with pride. | | | | When a horse lays its ears back it indicates anger |
| When a horse is well trained and accustomed to | | | | against another horse and may result in a bite or a |
| working "with" the rider it's almost as if the two are | | | | kick. |
| merged during riding. There is no better example of this | | | | Every horse owner smiles when offering an apple or |
| than a "cow pony" (also called a cutting horse) which is | | | | carrot as a treat. The warm muzzle and the soft |
| a horse trained to follow, chase and cut a cow from | | | | whinny as the animal takes the treat from the open |
| the herd. The need for a horse to perform this duty | | | | hand is a bonding moment. Petting the side of a |
| dates back to the days when range cattle were | | | | horse's nose is like touching velvet. |
| branded and herds turned loose to roam without | | | | There are many things a horse has to offer to a |
| benefit of fences. | | | | human. He can be ridden for recreation or in horse |
| Each rancher used his own brand as a method of | | | | shows. He can be part of a team and pull a hay |
| recognizing which cattle he owned. During a cutting | | | | wagon. Some can be trained to jump and the Royal |
| horse competition, the cowboy can guide his horse | | | | Lipizzaner stallions which have been bred to perfection |
| without touching the reins. The shifting of the rider's | | | | for half a millennium perform dressage which has been |
| body weight in the saddle tells the horse what direction | | | | described as "horses dancing." |
| to take. The perfect communication between the two | | | | Registered thoroughbreds are trained to win speed |
| is amazing to witness. | | | | races. Registered quarter horses learn to run barrels |
| Watching these competitions makes for a great | | | | and compete in other speed contests at the Western |
| spectator sport. | | | | horse shows. |
| People watching can be an interesting pastime. | | | | Riding clubs take part in parades on the fourth of July |
| Observing a herd of horses in a pasture is just as | | | | and many Renaissance fairs feature exhibition jousting |
| interesting in the sense that each has an individual | | | | matches. The versatility and appeal of this magnificent |
| personality just like people. In a herd of ten you might | | | | animal can touch your heart if you let it. At that point |
| see two laying down, another two might be fighting | | | | the relationship becomes more than a joining of horse |
| with each other. A fight can be anything from nipping | | | | and rider; your horse has whinnied his way into your |
| at each other to rearing up and lunging. | | | | heart and become - your pet. |