What is Natural?

What is Natural?

The dictionary definition of natural for my usage: exists in or derived from nature; not made, caused by, or processed by humankind. From this, it becomes immediately clear that any man made components used for your horse cannot properly or sensibly be termed natural – or can they? Because of the infancy of my blogging, I have just begun to touch on my style of “natural” horse care and for the most part, I have only addressed home remedies. I do not want to stray from the “natural” concept I wish to implement for my horses, so some research was in store.

In addition, I would like to mention that horse people are constantly in need of environmental and economical conservation methods, so we need practical, affordable solutions to all horsekeeping situations. I will try to bring as much of my information to you as possible. By choice, I prefer to use “natural” and good ole’ home remedies and I also try to conserve everything. I am big on the money saving tips too. Most of my supplies come from the local dollar discount stores. Always check these stores for their bargains. A note, Wal-Mart is located next to one of the discount stores in my area and competes with its prices. With Wal-Mart’s very competitive prices on many of the items, “me” the consumer benefits.

I have concluded the definition of a home remedy to be a simple meaning of treatments that make use of certain vegetables, herbs or other common items, to cure a disease or ailment. Of course, the recipes using vegetables, herbs, etc. easily fall in the natural category, but since man processes them are they a natural remedy? With the home remedy recipes listed on my blog, some use common household ingredients, which for the most part have been brought into existence by humans. Therefore, of course, these man made ingredients appear to be the total opposite of “natural” – they are artificial or synthetic.

Now looking at the word natural, is it at all possible for any interaction human has with horse able to be called natural? Of course, it is argued that the use is figurative rather than literal but at face value the name is potentially misleading. Nevertheless, since I have domesticated horses that could not possibly survive in a “natural” wild state, possibly a transformation of the word is in order. So what does “natural” mean when horse meets human? For me “natural” is a style maintaining certain concepts that are not intimidating, intrusive or harsh to a horse’s well being … mentally, physically or emotionally. It is about building a bridge through love, language and leadership connecting our conflicting worlds of nature and human.

This is truly, where we have to make a distinction on the use of the word natural. Humans have interacted with horses for thousands of years and to this day have always processed goods and deeds for the equine world. Farriers, feed, shelter and various products from alcohol to apple cider vinegar are to name a few. I will use apple cider vinegar as my example, it is a common household ingredient, which is one of the most versatile, and beneficial elements I use for my horses – is it processed by man? yes – then, is it natural?, I believe yes. With this, it is evident to me that some but not all processed ingredients can fall within the “natural” concept I am encompassing in my world of horses. This apparent worth or meaning of “natural” may be better than its true worth or meaning pertaining to domesticated horses. This is up to you, the reader and horseperson, to determine for yourself.

In conclusion, home remedies, natural therapies, training and riding methods that are beneficial and not intimidating, intrusive or harsh to a horse fall within my style of natural equine care. As mentioned in an earlier blog, veterinary medicine, natural therapies and home remedies have boundless areas in which they can and do enhance each other. The use of natural therapies and home remedies can work well in conjunction with modern medicine and I do not believe they should replace veterinary medicine. However, there is room for studies in true etiology of the horse, the study of their social behavior and what is natural to them; therefore, producing healthy proactive programs vs. reactive ones. The model is the wild horse in his natural environment. This is the foundation to approach “natural” for a healthy equine…mentally, physically and emotionally. For me, the horse has ultimate mystical elements that draw the true horseperson in, always seeking.

Finally, perhaps the true mystique of the horse is that, through our relationships with them, we are able to rediscover that precious connection between human and the rest of creation. The connection is a truly mystical oneness that is not forced, bought and sold, and requires neither show nor sheen, but an awful lot of body language, personal temperament and, perhaps most important of all, patience, kindness and a real affection for the horse. This is natural.

Riding bareback without a bit and without shoes on his feet. Connecting, becoming one - it is inspiration, it is our way of life.

THEIR NATURAL BEAUTY

Their beauty presents the embodiment of nobility tall, graceful and majestic capturing our imagination - and our hearts. For centuries, these hoofed creatures have enthralled us generating our interest to form relationships thus making the horse one of our most revered and fascinating animal partners. They have captivated us, a swift and powerful companion yet sensitive to their surroundings, loyal to a fault carrying us from barbarism to present day.
There is no other, the horse, a creature of natural unparalleled beauty.