Our Story

The History of the Horse

We have created the horse as it is today. Horses did not naturally evolve to be so imposing, magnificent, striking in their power and vitality. The original small, rough, scrappy animals were fodder for predators, beautiful as is all of nature, but not the artful creatures we created. Our horses are descended from eons of careful management, large enough to carry our armies, fleet enough to free us, brave enough to vanquish our enemies, and beautiful, for our sagas. We owe the horse everything. Without the horse, we are slow, weak, poorer and uglier.

A hundred years ago, we outran our horses through internal combustion. We cast aside our partner in the race for civilization, we turned them loose to fend for themselves in the unforgiving world we have created. We forgot our friend, and shirked our responsibilities. We created a creature that needed us out of a natural, wild, self-sufficient animal. We tamed the horse and then disposed of it. We weakened the naturally developed defenses, and then left the creature to the ravages of a more ruthless world.

The original horses didn’t need us. They were adapted to a bountiful habitat, to the steppes from which they came, where they lived in harmony with the grass and sky, in a world that provided them with what they needed. Our new horses were less adaptable, they needed richer feeds only we could provide, they needed steel shoes to protect their tender feet. They needed protection from predators they hadn’t evolved to contend with. We left them in harsher conditions than where we had found them. And they have adapted as best they could.

Now we resent their scrappy survival, our feral horses compete with our cattle for scarce feed, and they continue to multiply despite the odds. We love them too much to control them, and yet we no longer have use for them, so we neglect them. We’ve created a creature that needs us, and then abandoned it. We owe our mustangs the dignity of proper stewardship. To speak to the argument that “wild horses don’t need it (the expensive care)”, without the level of care that we provide our valued domestic horses, their lives are only half as long, and they suffer as they die. Without healthy teeth, they starve, without healthy feet, they can’t outrun predators. It is a natural, but painful existence.

It is our responsibility to provide for them. Their needs are our needs, for a natural environment, clear air and water, open spaces, room to move. Companionship, society. Nutrition. Exercise, and medical care.  

The horses that scare us will suffer, but those that can learn to ally with us will receive what they need. We are a selfish lot, we will provide for those who serve us. The horse is not born knowing how to serve, but can learn. We have created an adaptable animal. With some help, they can become willing partners.  

An individual without the ability to function in society will become an outcast.  As much as we believe that all beings deserve to have their basic needs met, the sad reality is that in our modern society, only those who serve will earn the luxury of comfort, This is the impetus behind our mission at Horse ReCourse.

So how to help a horse belong in our world? Give him physical and mental health. Help him understand the expectations, so that he can behave and perform the tasks required of him, so that he may be valued and given feed, water, company, and space.

It starts with good nutrition, farrier and veterinary care. Making sure the basic needs are met. Dental care and hoof care are the baseline of health. Help the horse eat and move, provide him with a healthy social life, and a natural, stimulating environment. Establish a baseline of comfort. Make him beautiful, inside and out.

From here, give him an education. Show him how to be an upstanding member of society, to allow people to touch and handle him safely. To stand tied, accept grooming, wear tack. Help him understand basic skills, to be led, and saddled, to pick up his feet. Help him become safe to ride. The less skilled the rider needs to be, the more valuable and versatile the horse. Help him become gentle and friendly. Remove his natural fear of predation. Tame him, domesticate him. Help him adapt to the civilized world.

“If you are fond of a horse and wish to do him a real favour – train him well. teach him good manners, good habits, both in the stable and under the saddle. You need never worry about the future of such a horse if any reason you may have to part with him. You assure him of friends wherever he goes. Perhaps the greatest kindness you can do any horse is to educate him well.”

TOM ROBERTS - THE YOUNG HORSE