Ethical Principles of Horsemanship

-- from the German National Equestrian Federation

• Anyone involved with a horse assumes responsibility for the creature entrusted to him.
• The horse must be kept in a way that meets his natural living requirements.
• A horse's physical and mental well-being must be one's first priority.
• Man must respect every horse alike, regardless of its breed, age, sex, and its use for breeding, recreation, or competition.
• Knowledge of the history of the horse, his needs, and how to handle him is part of our historic-cultural heritage. This information must be preserved, explained, and passed on to future generations.
• Being around horses is a character-building experience and of valuable signifcance to the development of the human being, especially young people. This aspect must always be respected and promoted.
• The human being who participates in equestrian sport with his horse must undergo training, and must also provide training for the horse entrusted to him. The goal of any training is to bring about the best possibile harmony between human being and the horse.
• The use of the horse in competition as well as in general riding, driving, and vaulting must be geared towards the horse's ability, temperament, and willingness to perform. Manipulating a horse's capacity to perform by means of medication or other "horse-unfriendly" influences is to be rejected by all, and people engaged in such practices should be prosecuted.
• The responsibility a human has for the horse entrusted to him extends to the end of the horse's life. The human must always assume this reponsibility and implement any decisions with the horse's well-being in mind.

Just a horse

"Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of solitaire. It is a grand passion. It seizes a person whole and, once it has done so, he will have to accept that his life will be radically changed". -Ralph Waldo Emerson

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse", or, "that's a lot of money for, just a horse."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for just a horse. Some of my proudest moments have come about with just a horse.

Many hours have passed and my only company was just a horse, but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by just a horse, and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of just a horse gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's just a horse, then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise", or "just a promise".

Just a horse brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

Just a horse brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of just a horse I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not just a horse, but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

Just a horse brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not just a horse but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being just a horseman.

So next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they just don't understand.

-anonymous