Versatility of the Horse

Abstract

I t has been my privilege over the years to have the chance to work with various breeds of horses. I have always been impressed by the versatility of the horse and the owner’s interest in a particular breed. This is particularly true in the case of the Quarter Horse, which encompasses ranch horses, trail horse, and reining, cutting, jumping, and hunter under saddle, among many other uses. Recently on a Sunday when I was in Colorado, I witnessed a Quarter Horse being used for something I had never seen before. The horse went to church. I mean, it literally went into the church sanctuary as a living object lesson on meekness. The basic message of the lesson was that for the horse to be effective, it must be willing to commit to the rider and equipment, such as the bit, and have great trust in the rider. When this relationship occurs, the horse becomes most effective, thereby leading it to perform at its greatest ability. You could probably finish the analogy of the sermon. Rest assured there were no ‘‘accidents.’’ Once again, this demonstrated just how versatile the horse can actually be.