What does Horse Ownership mean to you?

by Elaine Polny
(Palgrave, Ontario, Canada)

I would like to pose a question:

“What can we really “own” in this world?”

Sure we often use phrases to express our ownership like, I own a car, I own a pair of shoes and that seems sensible when describing material and/or personal belongings.

However, when it comes to “living” things and I include the earth (land, trees, oceans, sky etc,) in this category, what can we really “own”? With people’s never ending concern regarding possessions we feel it necessary to divvy up the commodities. So we say, “I own this piece of land, but do we really? Is it more accurate to say, “I am merely the guardian and caretaker of it?”. After all I cannot own it forever. And to try and comprehend that a Country can “own” the sky above me seems confining and odd.

But my bigger concern with this is how we choose to place the “lives” of our children, horses, dogs etc within this “ownership” category. How can I possibly “own” my child? Is he for sale if I wanted to trade him in for another model? (Yip, it's crossed my mind! :0) How much of a horse do we think we “own”? His mind? His body? His semen? I thought humans decided that life was priceless! But clearly we have made exceptions. It appears that we make the “lives” of our animals (and in some cases humans too!) into an economical commodity for nothing more than financial gain. This is obvious in our race track and showing/competition “industries”. Why else to we use the terminology, The Horse Industry?!


I am not looking to debate "why" we buy, sell and compete with horses, dogs etc., it’s being done and I do not see the compassion or humanity in any of it. I am simply noticing that if I view my horse as a living creature with the same free will to choose as I have (since it is obvious to me that they can in fact make a choice), then a huge door to our understanding one another opens. I feel it is more accurate, inspiring and useful if I view my role with the horses as a companion, guardian or caregiver than an owner.

From my previous experiences, I discovered I am lousy at “selling” horses. I went to “buy” one once and brought home two! (because I felt sorry for them in their living conditions.) With the full intention of training and “re-selling” one of them. Well, its 11 years later and I still have both!

If I ever find myself in an unfortunate circumstance where I needed to find another home for any of the animals in my care then I would do just that, find them another “home” not an “owner”. No amount of financial gain would comfort me through such a decision.
But that’s just me, everyone’s journey is different.

I welcome your inspiring thoughts………,

Elaine Polny