Monday, November 17, 2008

43. ~ Horse ~

The Cheyenne thought that mustangs with spots on their heads and chests were sacred and would prefer them when going into battle. A horse can stand, relax its muscles and go to sleep. When it is really tired, a horse may lie down and rest on its belly or its side. Horses have a long mane and a long tail. Their average weight is nine hundred to eleven hundred pounds (400 - 500 kg). Horses have a pecking order in the herd. Horses which are kept in warm stalls and warm barns require less food, as do those who go outdoors wearing blankets. A male horse is called a stallion. A female is a mare. A young male is called a colt. Young females are fillies. A foal is a baby horse not weaned from its mother. Horse will birth one to two foals at a time. The males have forty teeth, and the females have thirty-six. They have protruding eyes on either side of their long, large head which allows for them to see directly straight behind them. Their eyes are the largest of all mammals. Horse are measured in hands. One hand equals about four inches (10 cm). They have incredible strength, endurance and speed. They have excellent night vision, as well as a long, and flexible neck. They can close and open their nostrils at will. Gelding is the castration of a male horse. All horses are born with acute hearing, smelling and a 'sixth' sense. Horse groups are known as herds. The curved hooves of a horse require regular maintenance. The grooming of a horse is the key to the bonding between a horse and its owner. This grooming should be done daily. All horses dislike being boxed into small, confined spaces. They require a lot of room to run and roam freely. Horses highly value open spaces.

Medicine:

Horse medicine teaches to not take trust for granted. It takes a great deal of time to trust and properly bond in relationships. In return we surrender ourselves slowly but surely to another while cautiously letting down our guard. Horse medicine teaches us the value of devotion and friendship. Horses remind us to speak softly and to fight to stay calm in tough times. Horse medicine teaches us to run far away from betrayal. The question of horse medicine is this, are you being easily spooked by someone or something? Horses teach us we must learn to become one with our partner, as it is with the horse and its rider. Lastly, the medicine of the horse teaches that we must not try to saddle our problems upon someone else.

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