Horses can be one the best pets for anyone to have. There are so many beneficial characteristics that horses have. They are intelligent, obedient, friendly, understanding, compassionate, even-tempered, loyal, trustworthy, and beautiful. Due to their long life span, you will have a pet that is a part of your life for a long time ( 25 to 30 years.) This makes it possible to develop a very strong bond with it over a prolonged period of time.
It is common for a situation of codependency to develop between the horse and its owner. This happens as there is so much that the owner and horse share together. The owner sees to it that the horse has its needs taken care of. Food, water, shelter, visit to the vet, as well as daily exercise and grooming, are all part of what the horse and its owner interact with daily. So we can naturally see why their relationship is so close. A strong bond that lasts for decades is established with horses that are rare to achieve with other pets.
I’ve traveled around the world to photograph some of this world’s most amazing animals. Throughout my expeditions, there has been no stronger connection between an animal like I have with horses and me. As you can see through my fine art photography, horses are my favorite subject. After meeting and speaking with many horse lovers, riders, and owners, here is a list of the TOP 10 reasons why horses make great pets!
10 Reasons That Make Horses a Great Pets
We believe that horses do love their owners. We know that owners do love their horses. It is a major commitment for owners to decide to have a horse for a pet. Most horse lovers know and understand how much of their time and energy will go into having a horse as a pet. It is a big responsibility, but their love of horses is more important than what is required to have a pet horse. The sheer joy and fun that a horse has as a pet is always a delight for any owner; they can walk it, ride it and care for it for its entire life.
Following is the benefit of having a horse. Why do horses make fun and excitement within your space?
1. Reducing Stress
All pets from dogs to cats and fish to birds have the incredible ability to reduce our stress by merely being in their presence. Petting them, walking with them, they become your four-legged friends in most cases. Being around horses gives one a peaceful state of mind as they are very tranquil. Roaming around nature with ease, they teach us to slow things down and enjoy what mother nature has provided us that so many take for granted.
An all too obvious feature regarding horses is that they are always there for us. Whether we want to walk around the coral and pasture or have a relaxing ride on them they are there to answer our needs and please us. These animals have an amazing affinity for mankind and are always happy to make people content.
2. Fun to Be With
Horses are enjoyable animals, especially the Camargue horses I have photographed. They have so much playful energy and stamina. Every horse has its personality and characteristics that you will surely love.
When horses are part of a herd and have lives where they roam free and graze all day they are amazingly calm and playful. This is also true of horses that are in the stable and well cared for. These horses are fun because their attitude is that they want to be with you and please you as much as they can. They are able to express their true selves by expressing their natural state of contentment.
3. Lifespan
The lifespan of horses is longer than most pets, which are about 25-30 years, which means that you have a significant amount of time to develop a deep connection and a special bond. Having a horse as a pet is a huge commitment that demonstrates your real character and development as a person.
Since the horse has lived together with us for thousands of years it is both used to and familiar with us. We are friends and not strangers to horses. When they are our pets we take care of all their needs. On a daily basis, we make sure that they are fed and have water, are groomed as well as medically cared for and most important of all loved. Because of the horse’s incredible sensitivity, they sense and understand our moods. If they sense that we are upset they will do all they can to comfort us.
This is all very important for the horse because it understands that it is provided on a daily basis a good life for its entire life. Both man and horse benefit from this association because they are both profiting from their love, happiness, and friendship with each other over a very long period of time.
4. Beauty
Horses have immense beauty and elegance. Their stature poses, and graceful movements all leave us mesmerized. From their display in movies, literature, and art, they are a symbol of strength and courage throughout the world.
The beauty of the horse cannot be praised enough. We have a familiarity with them from their prehistoric paintings in caves through to our current day Western movies and nature documentaries on TV.
5. Intelligence
Horses are known to be four to seven times faster learners than humans. They need to be quick learners because they are prey animals, and they are very intuitive.
Horses unite their intelligence with instinct and emotion and this makes them a type of super animal. Their senses lead them to instantly make complex decisions that influence not only themselves but others.
Another example of their keen intelligence is how quickly and incredibly trainable they are. The training of horses for dressage, jumping, vaulting, racing and other equestrian activities is astounding. To witness any of these activities makes us quickly realize what great athletes these animals are.
6. Emotional Support
Researchers in the field of equine studies have shown that horses can recognize human emotions. Just like dogs, horses will provide comfort and act more playful if they see you being sad or troubled.
There are certain breeds of horses that instinctively recognize human emotions. Therapy sessions with these horses are organized for people with certain mental and emotional medical conditions. The result of these encounters is both therapeutic and healing for the patient. To date, no one knows why these encounters are so positive, but it is believed that on a spiritual level that the horse and human being communicate and have an energy exchange.
Another astounding encounter between humans and horses occurs in nursing homes. Special horses are brought to a nursing home and allowed to roam from room to room at their discretion; they instinctively go into the rooms where they understand that a patient needs them.
7. Staying Fit
If you love the outdoors, horses are great for exploring nature. Breathing fresh air and getting the right amount of sun does wonders for the body and mind. Having a horse as your companion during outdoor adventures like horse riding and hiking is a great way to keep fit and healthy.
What is wonderful about this is that it is both healthy for the rider and the horse. It also allows both participants to spend more time together thus strengthening their bond. It is also beneficial for both to take a walk together outside if for some reason they choose not to ride.
Just as with humans it is necessary for the horse to have daily exercise to maintain health. It should always be a part of the horse’s daily regime. We must remember that a horse is naturally a herd animal and that it basically wants to run wild with the pack; we must respect this and see that daily exercise occurs.
8. Coping With Illness
Having a horse as a pet or just being around one can provide physical and mental benefits to people suffering from different illnesses or conditions. People struggling with Alzheimer’s find it therapeutic to be around horses. Equine therapy helps them find calmness, and it eases the frustration that comes from living with Alzheimer’s. Research from Ohio State University finds that therapy helps lift patients’ moods and reduces negative behavior.
9. Caretaking
It might seem hard to believe, but horses are easy to look after. Yes, it’s a big commitment, but providing food and shelter is very straightforward. Several ranches around the country allow you to visit, ride, and pet horses for a minimum fee. You don’t have to spend too much if you are not ready to own one at the moment.
10. Long History
Throughout mythology and ancient tales, horses have played massive roles. They inspired countless stories of both gentleness, power, and triumph. Horses have a long history of coexisting with humans for centuries. From Kings to Queens and villages to kingdoms, horses have been companions and instrumental in shaping the most critical eras of human civilization.
Conclusion
We hope these top 10 reasons why horses make great pets have provided you with a better understanding of how much of impact horses can make in your life. In life, our journeys are filled with nature and wildlife. It’s our passion and privilege of being this forward for everyone to experience.
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”
Winston Churchill
Fine Art Prints for Horse Lovers
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