The Relational Horse: How Frameworks of Communication, Care, Politics and Power Reveal and Conceal Equine Selves (Human-animal Studies, 24)

The Relational Horse explores the possibilities of including the horse’s perspective into the study of human-horse relationships. Case studies from across a range of time periods, activities, and disciplines provide fresh ways to understand horses, themselves, in relationships with humans. Half Title Series Information Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgements Illustrations Introduction: Humans and Horses in the Relational Arena 1 Aims and Scope of This Volume 2 Theoretical Grounding 3 Introduction to the Chapters 3.1 Relationships, Communication and Connection 3.2 Attributions of Equine Agency 3.3 Sex, Gender and Exploitation 3.4 Personhood, Property and the Interspecies Family 4 Conclusion and Implications References Part 1 Relationships, Communication, and Connection Chapter 1 Synchrony or Dominance? Social Relations in Feral and Domestic Horses 1 Introduction 2 An Adaptive View of Equine Social Organization 3 The Meaning of “Dominance” 4 Dominance in Horses 4.1 Feral Horses 4.2 Domestic Horses 4.3 Critique of Dominance Studies 5 Causes of Raised Aggression in Domestic Horses 6 Implications for Human-Horse Relations 7 Conclusion Notes on Contributor References Chapter 2 Can You Hear Me (Yet)?—Rhetorical Horses, Trans-species Communication, and Interpersonal Attunement 1 How Might We Study Trans-species Communication? 2 Abilities That Allow Horses to Communicate 3 What Horses Ask of Us—Trans-species Rhetorical Communication 4 Trans-species Attunement and Influence 5 Can You Hear Me (Yet)? 6 Conclusion and Implications—Trans-species Communication and Human-Equine Studies Notes on Contributor References Chapter 3 Reining-in the Vital Powers of Horses 1 Introduction 2 Tacking Up 3 Freeing Up Movement 4 Conclusion Notes on Contributor References Chapter 4 Ceremony and Psychoanalytic Thought: A Theoretical Framework for Exploring Horse-Human Relationships and Connection 1 Introduction 2 The Importance of Relationship 3 The Role of the Self in Relationship 4 Intentions, Present Moments and Relationships 5 Healing Aspects of the Present Moment 6 Conclusion Notes on Contributor References Part 2 Attributions of Equine Subjectivity and Agency Chapter 5 “The Steed Knew Well His Master Was Slain”: Human-Horse Relationships in the Age of Heroes—The Scandinavian Iron Age 1 Introduction 2 Horse Sacrifices in Bogs and Lakes 3 Mirkwood and Wayfaring 4 Horses in Late Iron Age Graves 5 The Bridle—A Human-Horse Binder 6 Bridles and Horses in the Iron Age 6.1 Forming a Bond 6.2 Iron Age Bits—Binders with a Sprinkling of Magic Notes on Contributor References Chapter 6 Barn Banter: An Exploration of Anthropomorphism and ‘Equine-o-morphism’ as Agency 1 Situating Method and Theory 2 A Case Study: Welcome to Morgan’s Barn World 3 Community, Play and Agency Notes on Contributors References Chapter 7 “Horses are Like Babies”: Work and Skill in the Care of Racehorses 1 Affective Skills 2 “Checking” the Horses 3 Hiring 4 Reporting 5 Diagnosing and Responding 6 Contestation and Recognition 7 Conclusion Notes on Contributor References Part 3 Sex, Gender, and Exploitation Chapter 8 Mareitude: Misogyny in the Horse World 1 Introduction 2 Mares and Managing 3 Mare Medications 4 Barn Dialect 5 Premarin 6 Conclusion: Mare Misogyny Notes on Contributor References Chapter 9 Is it Sex if the Veterinarian Does the Work? The Problem of Pleasure in Multispecies Sexual Labor 1 Artificial Insemination and Disguised Desire: Defining Sex as Not Sex 2 Legal Strategies for Defining Technological Trans-species Sex as Work 3 Reckoning with Pleasure Notes on Contributor References Chapter 10 Believing Ginger: Revisiting Black Beauty during #MeToo Notes on Contributor References Part 4 Personhood, Property, and the Interspecies Family Chapter 11 Negotiating Power, Personhood and (In)equality in Elite Horse‐Rider Relationships 1 Power Dynamics in Equestrianism 2 Contextualising Horse-Rider Relationships in Elite Sport 3 Examining Power Dynamics in Elite Equestrian Dyads 4 Bridging the Species-Gap: Individualising and Personifying Horses 5 Negotiating Power: Giving the Horse a Voice 6 Being in Control: Rider Responsibility in Horse-Rider Relationships 7 “Not Just a Horse”: Examining the Implications of Co-existence in Interspecies Sport 8 Concluding Thoughts Notes on Contributor References Chapter 12 How Horses Matter in Eastern Mongolia: Cross-Breeding, Gaited Horses and Relationships with the Land on the 21st Century Steppe 1 Introduction 1.1 Further Ethnographic Context and Fieldwork Methodology 2 Riding with No Intention to Stop 3 To the Branding Site: Shifting Contexts 4 Horses as Mediators: Towards Integration Notes on Contributor References Chapter 13 Horses as Healers: Shifting Paradigms and Ethics in Equine Assisted Therapies 1 Introduction 2 Animal- and Equine-Assisted Therapies 3 Ethical Concerns: The Impact on Horses 3.1 Mirror and Metaphors 3.2 Space and Choice 4 The Western Lens: A Brief Overview 4.1 Pre-Christian Views 4.2 Christian Worldview 5 The Indigenous Lens: Reflecting Ancient Worldviews 5.1 Oneness and Respect 5.2 Animals Are “People” 5.3 Spiritual Life and Healing 6 Conclusions 7 Indigenous-based Guidelines and Principles for Equine Assisted Therapy Relationships 7.1 Precept 7.1.1 Respect 7.1.2 Balance 7.1.3 Reciprocity 7.1.4 Honor Notes on Contributor References Afterword: Moving Human-Equine Studies Forward, with Horses 1 A Turning Point for Human-Equine Studies 2 Moving Forward, with Horses References Index "Human-horse relationships take the central place in this edited collection examining the horse's perspective by asking: How are human-equine relationships communicated, enacted, understood, encouraged, and restricted? The contributors apply varied disciplinary methods as they emphasize comprehending horses not solely in terms of their functional uses, but also as impactful participants in relationships, whether more-or less-equally. By exploring the "who" of horses, The Relational Horse offers a better understanding of horses' lived experiences and interests within the worlds they share with humans, and a way forward for human-equine studies that more equitably represents the horse in those shared worlds"-- Provided by publisher