Watching the driving competition at World Equestrian Games in Aachen yesterday made me begin to think about what seemed to be the most important thing about the WEG – winning medals.
Then I stopped. Could this be true? Was there something that the collective “we” were missing? Could all this money and time and energy that were spent be about bringing home a long ribbon with a piece of round metal attached to it?
As it usually is with me, one question begs 10 or more others.
Have we forgotten what is at the heart of all of this activity? Better said, have we forgotten about the horses?
Of course, there are those who keep their love and respect for horses close to heart – never forgetting to thank the horses for everything they do for us – physically and emotionally. After all, if there were no horses, there would be no World Equestrian Games.
And that thought alone, took me down another path.
Just where would we be as a people, a society, a civilization, without the horse?
That’s a sobering thought, in deed.
When you look at it, it was the horse that was tamed to be used to help build so many of the societies on our planet. As Americans, if it wasn’t for the horse, how would we have spread across North America and built the country we call home? I can’t imagine cats and dogs pulling covered wagons across the prairies to help expand and grow the United States.
If it wasn’t for horses carrying soldiers into battles, what would have been the outcomes of so many wars that were fought across the world? So many millions of horses serving their countries to fight for (or against) whatever causes were being waged. So many animal (and human) lives lost – and violently so.
When I think about it, I simply can not imagine the world we have today without the hard work and millions upon millions of animals that served our purposes and goals. That alone should make the most indifferent of humans turn their attitudes around and take on a new (or renewed) appreciation and sense of gratitude for these beautiful, strong and fantastic creatures.
I don’t believe I would want to live in a world without horses. I know there are others out there that feel the very same way.
I also began to think about horses in competition, and how some countries’ governments actually fund horse sport, in a way acknowledging the importance and rightful place that horses should take in our societies.
Why doesn’t the United States do this?
Of course, there are very important matters that must have government dollars spent on them – social security, health care, funding our parks and cities and management of natural resources. Money must be spent. But, to be honest, we have a lot of money. A LOT OF MONEY.
Isn’t there a tiny, tiny slice of the “pie” that can be put aside to help fund activity and preservation and a tangible sense of respect for the animal that has made such an unforgettable impact on each and every American life?
Does our government not realize that the horse industry generates an incredible amount of money?
A few figures to ponder….
According to the American Horse Council (AHC) 2005 study, there are 9.2-million horses in the U.S. The industry contributes $1.9-billion in taxes annually, plus $40-billion in direct economic impact, and $102-billion in total economic impact. And that’s just in our country! That’s amazing! Maybe it’s not as big as computers, or cars, or real estate, but it is a very viable industry.
I’m glad that Germany and other countries’ governments lend a hand and fiscally say “thank you” to their horses. Their governments understand and appreciate the economic the animals make. Hopefully, one day soon, our country will do the same.
I just wish that “Uncle Sam” opened his wallet and gave a bit of spare change to the horses that carried him to the world stage.
Wouldn’t that be nice?
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