|
|
|
The Horse, the Donkey, and the Zebra
Horses, donkeys, and zebras are all part of the same family called
Equidae. They like to live in open country where they can see danger
coming from a long way off. Nature has instilled running away from
danger, the flight instinct, as their first strategy for survival.
Horses, donkeys, and zebras have several common
physical characteristics, too. They all graze to eat, travel over large
areas of land for food and water, and eat mainly grasses. They all have
only one hoof on each foot. They also have more highly developed senses
of smell, sight, and hearing than humans. Their long head gives them lots
of sensitive area in the nostril to detect scents; their eyes are
positioned on the sides of their head so they can see nearly all the way
around them without turning their head; and their ears move so they can
turn them in the direction of the slightest noise.
Horses, donkeys, and zebras have similar behaviors. They all like to live
in herds. It’s another startegy for survival. They develop deep bonds to
other members of their herd. There is a heirachy within the herd and a
leader. A good herd leader is one that watches and warns the others of
danger. When the warning comes, the other members of the herd all
respond immediately and simultaneously.
The ability to bond and their willingness to follow a leader has made the
horse and the donkey useful to humans over the centuries. Even under the
most difficult, or even cruel conditions, horses and donkeys try to
follow commands whether it’s a warning from their herd leader, or from
the person in command.
The Zebra remains wild but the nature of the horse and the donkey allows
them to be dominated by people. Through understanding more about the true
nature of horses and donkeys people are learning that good leadership is
much more effective than dominating the horse or the donkey.
When
knowledge runs out, frustration and often abuse begins.
-
A Horseman
|
|
