What is ‘Apologetics?’
An 'apologetic' is having a reasonable answer for what you believe—a defense of your worldview. Our answers always stem from a worldview, whether biblical or secular. Everyone has faith in something and finds their answers somewhere. We all put confidence in an authority or source. Truth matters! Does truth come from man, or does it come from God? How we answer that question affects how we see everything else.
Do you believe in evolution?
Evolution refers to ‘change over time.’ Everyone believes in change over time, even if they don’t realize it. Things are always changing. The climate changes, animals change, cultures change, etc. I don’t believe in molecules-to-man evolution, meaning one kind of creature changes into another kind of creature. This has never been observed in science, nor is it possible. A miracle—supernatural power—would be required for one kind of animal to change into another kind of animal. Miracles and secular evolution do not work together as a worldview. I do believe in evolution in its true definition of ‘change over time.’ However, I do not believe that God used evolution to make the universe, nor do I believe the theory of evolution is feasible. Most scientists today are rapidly rejecting the theory of evolution, due to the undeniable findings and intricacies in creation. I believe in the One true God who created all things and did so by speaking all things into existence (See Genesis 1,2).
Why do horses have a ‘Fight or flight’ response? Why is self-preservation so strong in animals in general?
You’ll hear a lot of evolutionists say things like, ‘Animals have had to protect themselves from predators over millions of years. The self-preservation instinct is just part of their evolutionary progression.’ The problem here is that evolutionists assume that the predator-prey relationship has always existed. Their assumption is false. Remember: people have differing worldviews and starting points. For myself, I start with God’s Word—the Bible. It is my compass and foundation for everything, including how I think through different questions. Your worldview matters because it leads to different kinds of answers.
Biblically, the reason that animals (in our case, horses) have a ‘fight or flight’ response is due to the reality of being in a fallen world. Our planet is fallen because of man’s sin (see Genesis 3). Man’s sin affected (and still affects) all relationships, including the animal kingdom. The horse kind, therefore, has predators it must protect itself from. Horses, likewise, will harm each other or other animals. Anything that affects a horse’s life in a negative way ultimately is tied back to man’s sin. Creation was cursed because of man's sin.
Biblically, before the worldwide Flood, the horse kind was not scared of man. They were either indifferent to man or could be aggressive. However, this changed after the Flood. God put the fear and dread of man into the animal kinds (see Genesis 9). I believe this was for the purpose of preserving both man and beast. Otherwise, they would have destroyed each other completely and neither would have a future.
Will horses always feel that they have to protect themselves?
Biblically, no. There is a hope for all of creation, including horses. Man’s sin subjugated all of creation under sin’s curse (see Romans 8). Things aren’t as they should be because of sin. What you see now is not how it always will be. We lived in a perfect world before sin, and one day the same world will be renewed to perfect conditions. No animals will ever suffer again. There will be complete harmony in all relationships (see Isaiah 65).
(Critical Thinking) Someone once told me about a herd(s) of Icelandic horses (without a history of domestication) not being afraid of human beings. Does this negate the biblical teaching from Genesis 9 about the "fear and dread of man?" I don't believe that it does. These Icelandic horses (along with any animals) have not lost the potential to "fear and dread" human beings. It is still in their nature. However, this will not show itself until certain circumstances arise. Given the option, even Icelandic horses will still protect themselves if they feel they must. In other words, give them a reason to be afraid or aggressive, and they will be.
What is an animal ‘kind’?
An animal 'kind' is equal to the family level of classification. Lower levels are considered a ‘species’ or ‘subspecies.’ Essentially, these are ‘off-branches’ or variations of the original representatives. Examples of equine species today include horses, zebras and donkeys.
Do horses have a mind?
Biblically, animals do have a mind, but it is different from a human mind (see Daniel 4). Having a mind allows horses to process or make connections. The brain and the mind work in tandem with each other. In a fallen world context, the horse uses his mind for defensive or offensive purposes. His mind essentially “shuts down” into a default mode of self-preservation whenever he feels too threatened. Although horses can be tamed and taught to accept many things, their default is always self-preservation. It only takes the right circumstances to arise. Self-preservation will not disappear until the animal kingdom is renewed.
Do horses have a 'will?'
Some would argue, “Yes, a stubborn will.” But that is not accurate. Survival is a horse’s number one priority, no matter how long they’ve lived at the barn or been around humans. Like other animals, horses are creatures of instinct (2 Peter 2:12). They ‘choose’ in the sense that they do whatever they need to do to exist. God has designed animals to instinctively ‘know what to do to.’ Horses are born knowing how to search for food or water or find shelter. It is a designed instinct for their prosperity. Unfortunately, in a fallen world, that instinctiveness (and intelligence) also must protect horses from threats. Horses don’t have a ‘will’ like a human, but they do in the sense that, if there’s any option that benefits them most, they choose that option. Horses have to be encouraged by humans to try something they are not comfortable with.
Do horses have the ability to reason?
Biblically, animals cannot reason. They are irrational and creatures of instinct (see 2 Peter 2). However, this in no way means they are ‘stupid’ or unintelligent. It simply shows that animals and human beings are created different. They are different kinds of creatures. Humans are intelligent in their own kind, and animals are intelligent in their own kinds. Man is made in the image of God, animals are not (see Genesis 1). Man contemplates life and thinks in abstracts, animals do not. Both are valued by God. Both are created by God. Keep in mind that not being able to reason is not the same as not being able to learn or make connections. Horses are very intelligent. Therefore, humans can’t make excuses when not being able to accomplish something with a horse.
Do horses have understanding?
Biblically, horses do not have human understanding (see Psalm 32). Horses do not contemplate life or think in abstracts like humans do. However, they are able to make connections in their mind. So, when we use the word ‘understanding’ with horses, we’re saying that he connects [this] to [that]. They learn by association. Ray Hunt used to say it the best, “They learn the way they live and they live the way they learn.”
Is there such a thing as a ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’ horse?
The people who call an animal ‘dumb’ are not people who like to learn about animals. It’s the human’s way of blaming something else instead of taking responsibility. Some horses may take more time to learn something, but this does not make the horse stupid. It means that every horse is its own individual. Some people would be quick to blame it on genetics, but that doesn’t explain why the human can’t accomplish something with the horse.
Do all equines learn the same?
Yes, they do. But, as a horse person, you should always be adjusting to fit the situation. Each animal is also different from the next. If you're working with a zebra or a mustang, you'll need to exercise a lot more caution. (I personally wouldn't advise working with either of these unless you have a ton of experience under your belt).
Are some horses smarter than others?
Every horse is different. We tend to think that some breeds are more intelligent than others. However, the next horse could prove this wrong and disprove the stereotype. Every horse learns at its own pace. What works with one horse may not work as well with the next horse. Some horses pick up on certain things quicker than others, but it could also be the teacher. Sometimes the teacher isn’t very consistent.
Are horses smarter than other animals or vice versa?
When human beings evaluate intelligence, there is always reason to be cautious. Generalizations happen all the time, which do an injustice to many animals. The human tends to compare apples to oranges or apples to apples. But every animal is different. The next animal could disprove the stereotype and make the human rethink what he knows. We also tend to view intelligence in comparison to our own intelligence. This also is wrong. Humans and animals are separate kinds of creatures; each of them are different. Humans are also not the best examples for comparison. While humans have the ability to reason and understand things, they often don’t use these abilities (especially in working with animals). One could accurately call it a willing stupidity.
Do other animals learn like horses do?
Other kinds of animals, particularly large, hooved mammals (such as camels and giraffes) do learn the same way that horses do. They understand Respond and Respect. The zoo realm uses the term "pressure and release."
I've personally worked with camels. Camels do have their differences from horses, especially with herd behavior. Large, hooved animals all seem to understand what others would call ‘pressure and release.’ (I’m not recommending that anyone work with these or other exotic animals).
Can horses read your thoughts?
Some people would like to think so, but there’s no way of proving this. Biblically, nothing speaks to this topic. People often like the idea because it sounds mystical. But it is not reasonable. Horses do, however, pick up on incredible subtleties. They notice the slightest changes or shifts. They are very sensitive animals. That is why, to some, it might seem that the horse knows what they’re thinking. In truth, the horse just knows what to expect from the human and what behavior to do because he’s learned that behavior. This narrows down to their ability to learn, not some mystical concept.
Do horses understand death?
Here is a better way to ask the question: “Do horses understand an absence of life?” The answer is Yes. They are able to comprehend when one of their kind is no longer living. This is evidenced in various behaviors that have been observed in wild horses. Some have described it as “mournful behavior” or “honorary behavior.” However, it is worth saying that, as humans, we are always interpreting. Our interpretations are not always accurate. Sometimes we anthropomorphize things that we see in the animal world, when, in reality, the animals don’t understand the abstracts that we do. I believe that animals do mourn for their dead. However, it is also worth noting that some horses…don’t even care. They will sometimes leave one of their own kind if it is dying. This comes back to self-preservation and the realities of a fallen word context. Horses aren’t concerned about dying, they are concerned about living. The human is concerned about living, but he’s especially concerned about dying. Biblically, there’s no evidence that horses contemplate death. But they will experience it (Romans 8).
Do horses go to Heaven when they die?
Biblically, animals do have a spirit (see Ecclesiastes 3) and likely do have a future beyond death. Their spirit, however, is different from a human spirit. There is little that Scripture reveals to us on this topic overall. God has a plan for all of His creation (see Colossians 1:20). Therefore, it is reasonable that deceased animals still have a future. It is not the sudden cut off from existence that evolutionists claim.
Why do some horses kill their young?
This is a rare thing that happens, but it does happen. Sometimes stallions—but also mares—will kill their own offspring. This is another example of what it is to live in a cursed world. All relationships are affected by man’s sin. We don’t always know the exact reason why animals do certain things, but we do know that the world is no longer perfect, and we see those imperfections play out. Stallions or mares, on rare occasions, view their offspring as a threat and treat them as such. Instead of nurturing the foal, they destroy it on instinct.
Is there such a thing as an ‘evil’ horse?
Biblically, animals are never described as evil creatures. They are not moral (like humans), nor do they commit wrongs against God or human beings. People might be on the receiving end of undesirable behavior, but this is not the horse’s fault. Horses, like other animals, are creatures of instinct. They do what they do. Some of what they do is related to the reality of a fallen world. But there is no such thing as an “evil horse.” Typically, this is another example of humans not knowing how to properly steward a horse. Domestic animals become dangerous when they are mismanaged by the human. A dangerous horse is not equal to an evil horse. Ray Hunt used to say, “They learn the way they live and they live the way they learn.” It is the human who fails to take responsibility and learn about the animal. We need to be good teachers!
In the Bible, there is an example of pigs being possessed by demons after Jesus casts them out of a man (see Mark 5). However, animal possession is not the norm. Nothing in the Bible makes the claim that animals are frequently possessed by demons. So, for example, when a person says that a horse is “demon possessed,” it is most likely a case of mismanagement and a lack of understanding.
What gives us the right to do things with horses? Why are we allowed to work with them?
This is “The dominion mandate,” (see Genesis 1-2; Psalm 8) which is God’s command to mankind to rule and subdue the earth (including animals). Sometimes we hear the words ‘rule’ or ‘dominate’ and think of them in negative terms. That is because, in a fallen world, these are done wrongly. In a perfect world, ruling or dominating is not a bad thing at all. It simply means that you’re taking charge. Today, we don’t live in a perfect world, and we sometimes will do things wrongly. However, we should always be seeking to make the life of our animals a good experience. God brings all things to account. Proverbs 12:10 says that “The righteous man has regard for the life of his beast.” A person who truly fears God will do a fervent job attending to the needs of his animal in whatever way that looks like.
Is it worth trying to train my own horse, or should I always take him to a clinician?
Some people won’t even work with their own animals, and that is always shocking to me. They buy a beautiful animal and then don’t give him a job to do. Taking your horse to a trainer or clinician does not make you better with your horse. The trainer could do everything for you, but you haven’t learned with your horse. If all you want from a horse is aesthetics, that’s up to you. But you have a responsibility of teaching your horse respect and structure. Every horse owner should have a great relationship with their animal. You learn how to be a good leader even if you’re not one now.
Is there a right or wrong way to work with horses? Does it matter what clinician I go to or what system I use?
It matters to your horse what you do. So, it should matter to you. There’s no right or wrong way of training a horse. Everyone is trying to get something accomplished. They want a great relationship with the horse. You’ll see hundreds of horse trainers and clinicians in the world. Everyone today has their own “horsemanship.” And there are a ton of gullible horse owners who spend thousands of dollars buying products that these knuckleheads sell. These clinicians charge top dollar and they don’t really get much done with a horse. Or they use some kind of gimmicks to get the job done. You’ll see everything out there. But the bottom line is that you can’t let yourself be taken advantage of. If you don’t like the trainer you’re taking your horses to, find someone else. Find someone who really cares about your horse, has real experience, and will teach you. To most trainers, you’re just another person giving them a pay check. This is another reason why you better be learning with your horse.
There’s no right or wrong way to work with horses, but some things just aren’t effective. Ray Hunt used to say, “To be effective, it has to be understood. And to be understood, it has to be effective.” You don’t have to work with horses like I do, or like Ray or Tom did. That’s your decision. But your horse cares about what you’re doing. He knows if you’re a terrible leader or a good one. He knows if you don’t know what you’re doing. He knows. That’s what separates the true horsemen from the fakers and money takers.
Does the Bible prescribe a right way to work with horses/animals?
No, it does not. It is a stewardship freedom that we have in our accountability before God. All animals belong to Him, and He knows all things that are done, whether good or evil. Proverbs 12:10 says that “The righteous man has regard for the life of his beast.” That covers every aspect of the animal. What is the outcome of your training? Ultimately, who is the training all about? A ‘righteous’ man is a man who truly fears God. He knows God personally and he cares about everything that God cares about, which includes care for His other creatures. Without knowing God, I believe that every person is limited in their potential as a horseman. A righteous person does things ultimately for the glory of God. A selfish person does things ultimately for themselves. God expects us also to love Him with all of our mind (see Mark 12:30). One way that we honor God is by using our creative ability (for example training horses) to do a great job.
Does the Bible speak of animal ethics?
Yes, it does. Genesis 1 and Proverbs 12:10 are two very key passages on this topic. God gave mankind dominion over the animals, and He expects us to do a good job taking care of them. It is a stewardship responsibility. We are accountable to God in how we tend to His other creatures.
Were horses designed to be ridden?
Recently, I was published in the Answers Research Journal (ARJ). Click on the link below for a thorough examination to the question, "Were horses designed to be ridden?"
Were Horses Designed to Be Ridden? | Answers Research Journal
Do you think rodeos are evil?
They can be cruel at times, yes. I'm not sure I would say they're all bad though. It just depends what the human is doing. This too comes back to stewardship. We love entertainment, but what does that look like for the animal? A lot of animals have suffered for the sake of human fun. I'm not anti-rodeo. I just care about how we do things. I would encourage you to go on YouTube and watch a few videos of how broncs are treated at rodeos. It might surprise you. It is hypocritical to show care and affection to our personal horses but not do the same for other horses. We can use them for our own purposes, but we also have to think about the horse's welfare. This applies to any equine/human events.
What do you think of the Thoroughbred racing world? Should anything be done different?
Sometimes there's nothing wrong with certain activities, but it's how we run those activities that leads to problems. Some folks would be quick to point out the cruel things of the track, meaning the stuff that happens behind the scenes. And it's often true. A lot of cruel things happen in the equine industry, even in rodeos. It is the sad reality of living in a sinful world. Man does wicked things with creation--usually for the sake of money, fame, or entertainment.
Horses love to run. I don't think there's anything wrong with racing in and of itself. It's just the stuff that typically happens with the horse that I don't agree with.
Practically speaking, I know that people are crazy about Thoroughbreds, but breeding farms aren't producing faster horses. The potential is always limited if all you do (at large) is keep breeding Thoroughbreds with other Thoroughbreds. It may keep the genes in the family and maintain the breed's existence, but you won't get faster horses. (Horses like Secretariat are an extremely rare exception).
I know people believe in having 'purebreds', but there's actually no such thing as a truly 'purebred' horse. All horses have an ancestry. It is a history of genes influenced by other breeds and/or species of horses. The only way you'll get faster horses is to bring in some genes from another pool. There's no guarantee for a faster horse, but you at least are giving opportunity for it.
People get stuck on preserving a breed of horse, and I get it. But what if we could produce a faster horse? I know a lot of people have asked that question, but they don't ever bring in the right solution.
Should the BLM exist?
There's an endless debate on the BLM. Many folks have demonized the BLM, but I don't think what they say is always accurate. Like a lot of things, I believe in balance. We can't worship creation, but we also don't need to annihilate a species. Animals need their space to exist, and we need ours. Topics such as the BLM funnel down to proper stewardship. Unfortunately, many wild horse advocates have the wrong motivation. It's not really about the horses. It's about what the experience of encountering horses does for the human. It is a worship of pleasure, which is idolatry.
Do horses need shoes?
Absolutely not. It is one of the oldest myths in horse history. Shoes prevent the hoof from flexing and functioning properly. The 'natural hoof movement' has taken off rapidly because people are finally waking up to the reality of how much damage shoes can do to a horse's hooves. Primarily, it weakens the hoof wall and leaves hooves more prone to diseases, etc. There's a lot more out there that you can read, but I would never recommend shoes. There might be a place for boots at times, but there is never a place for nailing metal to the bottom of something that is designed to flex. Think about what that feels like to the horse after a few hours.
Why is self-preservation a lot stronger in zebras than in horses?
I would argue that wild horses can be just as dangerous or 'self-preserving' as wild zebras. However, zebras just don't have the domestication record that other equines do. Although we aren't exactly sure how it works, domestication seems to tame down an animal's descendants to different extents. This is probably due to adaptation to environment. But, again, you can't take even a domestic animal for granted. They can surprise you.
Why are wild zebras so dangerous to work with?
Simply put, because they are wild. Humans aren't part of the herd. Like other animals, zebras can see humans as a possible threat, and they will do whatever they feel they need to do to protect themselves, even if that means extreme aggression (read Genesis 3 and 9). Wild mustangs are the same way. You'll see a lot of pages online of people who breed and raise zebras. I would consider these domesticated zebras. They are born into a structure that is different from a wild zebra, which is why they are much safer to work with. But, just like with your horse or any animal, you can't take them for granted. Remember: an animal can be on top of you in half a second. Remember that.
Are there still actual 'wild' horses today?
People will debate this. There are supposedly seven different known species of equines, including horses. (There could have been numerous other species centuries ago. The fossil record seems to suggest this). Although I still use the word 'wild,' our world likely only has feral populations remaining. The mustangs you see out west had ancestors that were domestic stock. The same can be said for horses along the east coast.
I don't have a problem with still calling a horse 'wild,' because they learn wild behavior when they have to learn to be on their own. They become their own structure--without the human.
What is a 'Zebroid'?
Zebroid is a term that refers to a zebra hybrid. You can have a Zorse (cross between a male zebra and female horse), a Hebra (cross between a male horse and female zebra), a Zonkey (male zebra, female donkey), or a Donkra (male donkey, female zebra). Some people call these 'zedonks' or 'zebra-horses,' but 'zebroid' is the only correct terminology.
Other equine hybrids can be created as well, such as Mules (male donkey, female horse) or a Hinny (male horse, female donkey). Mules have been known (on extremely rare occasions) to be able to reproduce. However, this doesn't seem feasible for other equine hybrids, due to the resulting odd number of chromosomes.
Modern equine species will readily interbreed with other species. It would be fascinating to confirm if ancient equines ever produced hybrids on a large scale, whereas modern hybrids are more novelties.
There is nothing unbiblical or unethical about breeding different equine species to result in a hybrid.
Can zebras and zebroids be trained just like horses?
Yes, they can. However, a person should be a lot more careful. Interbreeding domestic stock with zebras can help with taming the zebra nature, but, again, you can't take them for granted. I've heard people make dumb excuses that zebras and zebroids can't be trained or ridden, but it is a bunch of nonsense. Those people lack the respect and experience. Zebras, zebroids, or mustangs might require more time and caution, but they can be trained. Most people are afraid to try it (and probably shouldn't try it).
What are the modern equine species?
Ultimately, we just have horses, donkeys, and zebras. However, some have argued for seven species. Two for the horse, two for donkeys, and three for zebras. Then you have various subspecies, where it becomes unclear if they are truly subspecies, feral populations, etc. There likely were multiple (now extinct) species of equines prior to the flood, and multiple species (post-flood) probably died out as well. The fossil record contains many equine fossils. Some of these, however, (and keep this in mind) are not equines but other animal species with similar features --lookalikes. Similarities are just that--similarities. It does not mean two creatures are necessarily related.
How did equines get to different parts of the world?
There are several evolutionary narratives on this question. However, these narratives do not reason well. The biblical answer is that equines (and other kinds) dispersed throughout the earth after the world-wide Flood (Genesis 9). The creationist model is that equines began to multiply again after the Flood and spread throughout the world, variating into different species, as well as separating into gene pools (populations). It is believed that, after the Flood, a great ice age followed, thus creating temporary land bridges (made of ice and snow). Animals crossed these bridges in search of food and a sustaining environment. Some animals died off, others survived. Some may have even turned back. Human beings have also been a primary factor as to how animals could have reached the far ends of the planet. Trade was large in the ancient world and usually involved animals. This would include equines. Today, we have some equine species. However, there could have been more equine species prior to the Flood or in the early decades following.
What about multiple-toed horses? Is this proof of evolution?
Fossil "equines" have been unearthed with multiple toes on each limb (or at least the front two). It should be mentioned, first of all, that some "equine" fossils were not equines. (Artistic license has led many people astray). Second, multiple-toed fossil horses are not found in populations, meaning we can't assume that multiple-toes was a norm. Third, it's very possible that some of these multiple-toed horses had a mutation in their genes (something rare but not unheard of today), which produced multiple toes to a limb. Lastly, genetics is still very much not understood. "Reversions" or "Atavisms" have been suggested for modern horses that express (on extremely rare occasions) multiple toes, meaning the DNA sequence (for reasons we don't know) expresses a gene that has not 'surfaced' for a very long time. Multiple-toes is not proof for horse evolution. Options: (1) It is variation within the equine kind (e.g. an extinct species), (2) It is not an equine to begin with but rather a lookalike, (3) It is a reversion in genes, or (4) it is simply a mutation.
Do you believe in 'Natural Selection?' Is it a thing?
I don't believe in Natural Selection in the evolutionary sense. Obviously, animals do not thrive in environments that can't support them.
That's just common sense. However, animals have also been observed adapting to environments in just two or three generations. Their descendants' genes will express traits different from that of their parents' because their parents' genes instructed for traits for a different environment. This is what has been called Continuous Environmental Tracking (CET). In other words, an animal's senses tell its body that it needs to change in some way (or multiple ways). The body then initiates reprogramming within the DNA to be able to live in that environment. The body does not initiate change until the senses communicate the necessity. This is from an engineering perspective and makes perfect sense in view of the fact that God exists and He designed everything. (Please see links below)
This is not one kind of animal changing into another kind of animal. It is simply variation taking place within the animal kind. It's not a horse changing into a giraffe. It's a horse adapting to its environment--remaining a horse still. One kind of animal changing into another kind of animal has never been observed.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/52JwBIfFivplcXEvo3lVzs?si=7bf706f176854cab
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6f07Vmb5wxQonJmIy57Tly?si=d3e1be67972e4ef8
What makes a horse "cowey?"
Most people would just say, "The horse's inherited traits." However, (without getting too technical) there is more to this question, and it comes back to design and worldview. How did horses get these traits? Have horses always had a "cow sense" or a propensity toward working cattle? The answer is "No." What gets a horse "cowey" is exposure. Equines have the ability to adapt to their environment and its aspects. This includes other animals with whom they must coexist. In many cases, it would be coexistence with cattle. However, horses have also learned to coexist with llamas, goats, etc.
Horse's whose parentage involved much time and activity around cattle will typically transfer through the genes. In other words, environment can influence the propensity or disposition of offspring. This is not a science fully understood--even by geneticists. We simply know that a sire and dam will pass their traits down to their offspring. Interestingly, it's not just horses that can be "cowey." Mules have also been used to work cattle.
A person can take a horse that hasn't been exposed to cattle and turn him into a "cow horse." The human just needs to be a skilled teacher, while the horse learns to read the cow. Before long, the horse gets confident, thinks it's fun, and sees it as his job. In theory, any equine can learn "cow".
Adaptation is not a result of evolution, but rather a testament to the sovereignty of God (Psalm 104). Even in a fallen world, animals have the ability to adapt to numerous--even harsh--environments. It has been a key factor to their continued existence. They are designed to adapt. Adaptation is not a result of sin, however. God may have originally created all creatures with this ability to keep changing--even in a perfect world.
Can horses have a 'propensity' toward other activities besides working cattle?
This seems to be pretty evident. Although all horses must learn their job (or sport), some are more 'naturally inclined' to it. This meaning that the horse's parentage probably involved some kind of athleticism in their history, now passed down. Keep in mind, however, offspring do not always receive traits which mimic or mirror their parents' abilities. Every horse is different. Many offspring--even from famous race horses--will never have their sire or dam's ability. They will go on to be "normal horses" but still sold at a high price.
What do you think about stalls?
If you can avoid it, don't keep your horses in stalls. Stalls are one of the biggest reasons why horses have hoof problems. Think about how many horses stand in their own muck for countless hours. All kinds of specific hoof issues develop just because of this. A horse needs a varied terrain for his hooves. Too much of anything leads to very bad results. Stalls are also the location of 99% of colic episodes. This is because horses were designed to be mobile, not stationary. They are grazers. But what usually happens? The human gives the horse dumps of hay at a time with little water and room to mobilize. It is the human who causes colic. It has nothing to do with how the horse is designed.
Is choking a design flaw in horses?
You might hear evolutionists talk about "design flaws" or "poor design" when discussing issues with equines. Vets, in particular, will do this. However, as Ken Ham says, "When we ask the right questions, we get the right answers." The problem with evolutionists is they don't ask the right questions. They want to find excuses for believing in evolution and denying God's existence. Equine health is one avenue in which they try to do this. In other words, because issues happen, a design is therefore "poor" or "flawed". But wait a minute! Maybe there's other things to consider. What are we feeding our horses? What does the horse's daily activity look like? Is the horse owner a good steward? Does the horse require more or less of something? Often, the human is to blame for issues related to a horse's health. Under normal circumstances, choking is not a common occurrence. Evolutionists are quick to point out "design flaws" but never acknowledge beautiful design. Under normal circumstances, the horse's anatomy works beautifully--as it should! Romans 1 tells us that unbelievers will try to suppress the truth about God. They deny what is obvious.
What does an ideal pasture look like?
You need to have varied terrain. You also need to have a lot more acreage than folks usually prescribe. Horses are movers. They graze and explore all the time. They need to be able to run and go uphill and step in water and walk on hard surfaces. Great turnouts produce great hooves. Gross turnouts produce gross hooves. Look at how wild horses live and you'll see what I'm talking about. Wild horses always have stronger, healthier hooves than any domestic stock. Most hoof issues are brought on by the human.
“Why doesn’t my horse remember a positive experience from yesterday, even though I did a good job with him?”
You’re working with a mind, not a machine. Because we live in a cursed world, horses struggle with their fight or flight nature (self-preservation). Even though you might have ended on a good note yesterday, it doesn’t mean they won’t spook at the same thing today. Sometimes it’s because the human isn’t a good teacher and needs to do something different. Other times, we just need to understand that horses are fearful, sensitive creatures. What seems like a small thing to us can be a big deal to them. Horses can’t rationalize like we can. And remember, it doesn’t all come in a day, and it doesn’t need to. We put too much pressure on the horse to get it all on the same day. But that’s not how confidence or learning works. It’s a journey. They get confident through good experiences over time. And if we’re honest human beings, we have to admit that some struggles we have don’t go away in a day either. It takes time to develop a different mindset. We have to give ourselves the time we need to get over struggles or adjust to things, just like we allow the horse time. You have to be a patient person. The horse doesn’t have a schedule. He exists in the moment. See it through his eyes. Let him learn in his own time and his own way (Proverbs 12:10). My mentor used to tell me, “You could saddle a horse one day and everything goes great. But the next day, he acts like he’s never seen it before. That’s just how it goes sometimes.” Biblically, we live in a cursed world (Genesis 3; Romans 8). Animals also have a fear and dread of man (Genesis 9), and animals cannot rationalize (2 Peter 2:12). This doesn’t mean horses are stupid—they aren’t. But we have to consider their context. A man once said that, “The curse affected all relationships.” It still does today, and that includes man’s relationship with animals. In a perfect world, both man and beast don’t have a cursed relationship. They don’t have all these mutual struggles from the same context. One day, the effects of the curse will be no more, and everything will be renewed to perfect conditions again (see Isaiah 65, 66).
What do you think about ‘Desensitizing’ horses?
I remember when that term first boomed. It was spread by clinicians like Pat Parelli, who were into the ‘Natural Horsemanship’ movement. But even that term has a thousand definitions now. ‘Desensitizing’ once referred to sacking a horse to where he had absolutely no reaction to anything. People would take all the life out of a horse and then have no life to work with. They would do a lot of these stupid games or play with ridiculous ‘toys’ (they still do that). Clinicians make thousands of dollars selling these items to ignorant, gullible horse owners who want cute, fun experiences with their horses.
I want a horse to accept what I present to him. However, everything has a meaning and purpose to it. It translates to being in the saddle and whatever else I plan on doing with him. That’s the difference. People do a lot of pointless things with horses, and they don’t even know why. But they saw a clinician do it, so it must be important. Acceptance is different than taking life out of the horse. You can create a difficult animal by taking life out of them. Think about it. If you’re taking response out of them, how will they respond to anything you’re asking? You’ve turned them into a dull beast! And if you’re really a sucker, you’ve turned them into a dangerous one. You’ve taken his response out of him, so he doesn’t care what you do to him. He’s just gonna run the show—maybe get you hurt! It’s all the human’s doing. The horse didn’t start that way (Proverbs 12:10).
Today, ‘Desensitizing’ means different things to different people. People in the zoo realm see it as acceptance of something, not necessarily sacking out the equine. However, in my experience, zoos often have staff who are inexperienced around hoof stock and don't know a better way. They buy into the same trends that gullible horse owners do. Because it's cute.
Terminology makes people feel empowered. It gives them a false sense of control over animals, when, really, they have no control. You can know all these human-made terms, but, at the end of the day, the horse doesn't give a darn about how many terms you know. It's all about how you make him feel. You either know what you're doing and what you're looking for and you have purpose, or you don't. Don't get caught in a trend, just because you saw a famous clinician do something cute with a horse.
Is there such a thing as “Right-brained” or “Left-brained” horses?
No. This concept is a common way that “experts” will con gullible horse owners. They like to take advantage of people who will buy into anything said by an expert.
When people say ‘Right-brained’ or ‘Left-brained,’ they are referring to a horse’s tendency to favor one direction or one side of themselves more than the other when a human is interacting with them. It's true that horses sometimes do have a side they are more comfortable with. However, when trainers use the term "Right-brained" or "Left-brained," what they are really telling the horse's owner is that their horse will never be normal.
A horse’s number one instinct is self-preservation. It doesn’t matter which side the human approaches. Building confidence in the horse can help him see that it’s okay for the human to be on either side of him. The only reason he shifts away from the human is because he feels he needs to.
Sometimes horses are more comfortable with one side over the other because the human only ever works with one side of the horse. There’s an old lie that you should only mount from the left side of the horse (this idea stemmed from Civil War cavalries). But does the horse care? No. It’s the human who makes all these stupid ‘laws’ with horsemanship. You can get a horse just as confident in being mounted on his right side as his left side. The human settles for one side, and so the horse does too.
I’ve found that people who use the excuse of “my horse is ‘left-brained’ or ‘right-brained’ usually can’t get their horses to bend. Their horse isn’t soft with them because they aren’t soft with their horse. The human teaches a brace in the horse, and pretty soon he’s as stiff as a board. If the human would change, he would discover that a horse really can go both directions. But the human likes to make excuses for why he can’t accomplish something. He likes to invent a ‘condition’ so that he doesn’t have to change.
Would you ever join up with other horsemen or clinicians?
I’m always open to learning or trying things. But there is a right caution to have when it comes to relationships in the horse world. I’m convinced that there’s some folks out there who would be great to ride with, maybe even learn some things from (I hope the feeling is mutual). The horsemen who inspire me are the ones who keep the horse first. They aren’t playing a bunch of games or taking advantage of other people. You can tell pretty quick if a trainer is really there for the horse or not. On the flip side of things, there’s also nothing wrong with just having your own operation. You don’t have to feel obligated to join up with other horse people. It’s up to every individual to do what they think is best.
What do you think about cowboy preachers?
I’ve listened to a number of sermons by different “cowboy preachers.” As a true follower of Christ, I test all things in view of Scripture (see 1 Thessalonians 5:21). I don’t just buy into everything that I hear. You have to be very careful with who you listen to. People can lead you astray and teach you false things. This isn’t to say that all cowboy preachers are false teachers. I don’t believe that. However, in my experience, many cowboy preachers are simply there to be noticed by people. Sermons tend to be pretty shallow, and, sometimes, just plain unbiblical. But being a cowboy preacher draws in audiences and has become part of clinician culture. Some folks really enjoy popularity or teaching others. You just have to make sure that what you’re teaching is truly from the Bible and not lies of the Devil. There’s a lot of stuff out there that sounds good, but it’s not true. And without knowing God personally, you will be led astray by false teachings. Being a preacher should not be about getting attention. But that’s what I see in most cases. I’m sure that God has done some good through the efforts of a few cowboy preachers. Maybe some folks have even gotten saved through the ordeal. But when I listen to cowboy preachers, I usually have more questions than answers. Are they attached to a local church, or are they rogue 'Christians'? Today, there is a lot of heresy being preached out there. You have to be real careful. So, in short answer, No, I wouldn’t join up with any cowboy preachers. I care very much about doctrine. I've got nothing against cowboys or preachers, but I am against what tends to happen when you combine the two. A passage in Scripture says this: “For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. So, it is no strange thing that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). The image of the cowboy is an iconic image. It draws people in. The cowboy is never wrong about anything, right? The cowboy is a Bible-believing person. He wouldn’t lead anyone astray. Well, that’s the deception that many folks buy into. The hat is just a hat. The person wearing the hat is what you need to watch out for. Does their teaching line up with Scripture? I hope it does. But you will need to know Scripture very well for yourself