"And God spake unto the West Wind; "Condense Thyself". The result was a horse.
For close on five thousand years, the Arabian horse has served mankind with fire, pride, loyalty, willingness and bravery. All of these things are inspired by a combination of deep love and respect.
Today, I rode my mare for the third time. I had spent a couple of months just getting to know her, know her traits, and learning to understand her. Today, this time I spent paid off. There was much happening today, heavy machinery, lots of wind which rattled things in trailers, horses popping in and out of trailers at unexpected moments, enough going on so that my mare was visibly trembling and wanting to run. But she would not run, instead her ears turned back to listen to the words I spoke to her in reassurance. Then she moved forward, through the parked heavy machinery, the trucks and horse floats for no other reason than I asked her to.
This same mare comes running with her tail proudly flagged, and calls out to me when I approach her with a bridle or halter.
It would devastate me to see the same fear in her eyes that I have observed in many show situations I've watched. I felt nothing but deep respect for the words of Halyn Sulieman Ali Abdullah, for his words are truth.
Is it not better to see the true fire of the Arabian horse as he or she parades themselves before the admiring eyes of those who watch, who show themselves because they know the cheers are for them and them alone. Horses who's dancing feet reflect the sounds of the skies thunder and the blessing of God upon a proud crest and flowing mane.
I know that is what I want to see.
People need to remember, every single great change in our history has begun with one voice, one vision, one who spoke out instead of remaining hidden in silence.
I add my voice to those whom have spoken.
A man by the name of Peter J. Daniels once said, "If you do not stand for something, you will fail to be anything." I believe that the entire point here is to show the horses that have not been abused. So long as people see nothing but terrified and beaten horses than that is all they will ever know or expect. Find something truly glorious and show it for the world, regardless of whether you may win or not. It is not about winning, it's about a thing of magnificent beauty. You will never change minds or hearts by staying silent. If you speak with actions as well as words you can show people what it is truly about. Live by example and in time others will see the value of that example and will choose to follow it as well. Over time things will change for the better because those who truly care chose to fight for that change. Do our horses not deserve the same loyalty and devotion that they have shown throughout the ages? The only other option is to be wearily resigned to it all and to watch these glorious animals abused and in time broken. I can speak only for myself in this, but the idea of such perfection in the flesh being broken for no other reason than being too afraid to speak and act breaks my heart and brings tears to my eyes.