With their flowing manes they come to us through our myths
and fairytales. Descends from the Przewalksi wild horses from the steppes of
central Asia were domesticated and when the human was welcome on the back of
this wild mammal, it made a huge difference. It changed history. A horse is seen as nobler than any
other animal. A beautiful animal, true, as well as intelligent and faithful.
Different, but for me not necessarily worth more than a panther, elephant or
cow.
In my youth on a Dutch farm we had a heavy Belgian draught
horse, before the tractors were introduced. We had sheep, chickens, sometimes
goats, but most of all we had cows. Many cows with calves, young bulls and
heifers. When my parents started their dairy farm at the beginning of the II
World War, my father had bought one cow. A cow is not just a cow; there are
many kinds. And they’re not as stupid as their reputation tells us.
Anyway, our farm started with Hoekstra 5, one of those
world famous black and white cattle breeds for milk production called Fries-Hollands.
Generations of Hoekstras lived on the farm, until recently, when my retiring
brother and sister-in-law ended the farm. Only after leaving home, did I get to
know other cattle breeds, like the Dutch
Lakenvelder and the Groninger
Blaarkop (Groningen white headed cow) and then, in the 70s, as soon as the
quota on milk production was introduced, foreign breeds for dual purpose (milk
and beef production) were imported. Larger Holstein-Friesians, Italian meaty
Piedmontese calves, the Limousin and beautiful white Blonde d’Aquitaine, both
at home on French plains, and the Jersey cow. I like cows. Like cows, chickens
or pigs, there are many horse breeds too. I ‘m just not so familiar with them.
We hunt animals, eat them or have them as pets and
companions near the home or farmstead. It makes me believe these animals
committed themselves to be with us humans, even if we think we are the boss and
owner.
The native American Indians as well as the Celtic druids
said every person has a power or totem animal. Animals as symbols of healing
power. Each animal shows us behaviour patterns in which we can discover healing
messages; free for us to use. You don’t ‘horse around’ with these powers. The
white stallion brings the shield and power of wisdom and teaches that misuse of
power never leads to wisdom.
On my
photo I show you one of the beautiful horses and Shetland ponies (horses of a small breed) while grazing at
Cullerne Gardens of Findhorn.
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