pony PEOPLE

by dorothy henderson - western australia based media stringer

I imagine that on every weekend, somewhere in Australia, there is a group of people who have gathered to spend their time with horses.

Team penning, camp drafting, dressage, showjumping, eventing, cutting, barrel racing, roping, endurance riding, agility, games, polo, polocrosse and, of course, horse racing are just some of the reasons I can think of for people to share space around equines.

As a horse person, I find it hard to understand how people can not find these magnificent creatures awe inspiring in their tolerance, and obliging behaviour around humans. Any time they liked, they could flip us off their backs, pummel our toes, bite, kick…with such size and power behind them, the options for fightback against humans are many and varied. I am constantly amazed at the fact they allow us to do what we do with them…they are humbling in their forgiveness.

There is something particularly heartwarming when, out of the corner of your eye, you see someone at a horse event gently stroking their horse’s neck, or planting a kiss on its nose. The connection between horse and human can be so strong, even greater than that between human and some humans.

It is that connection that makes time at horse events, with people, so enjoyable. Without these obvious signs of human/horse intimacy, such an event becomes just a competition. Instead of racing cars or motorbikes, there are horses. With hearts. And humans. With hearts.