Horse Love

On my way to pick up my dry cleaned clothes, I saw a small crowd of people near two horses attended by policeman. I was strongly to drawn to the area to see the horses. They were in a grassy area by the metro station. Children coming from school, parents with children, and older adults were there hoping to pet them. I went straight over to the horse to my left. I put out my hand for her to smell. She approved and licked my hand. I said hello to her and stroked her head. I tried to move the hair from her eyes. She moved her head in protest, so I stopped. She seemed to like me though. The policeman called her Rosie. Others were petting her and in awe. The policeman was talking about her and to demonstrate that he could do it, he put his hand over her eye. I didn't like that even though he did it a couple of seconds. I looked into Rosie's eyes, and I felt she was sad. She didn't like the reigns attached to her, and I wished I could do something to help. I decided to visit the other horse who had the other policeman sitting on top of him. I didn't know the horse's name or gender, but I will refer to him as "he". I offered my hand for him to investigate and asked his permission to pet him. I don't know if he understood, but I got the impression that no one had ever asked for his permission. I stroked him a little while, and I could also see the sadness in his eyes. These horses touched my heart, and I longed to see them happy and running freely. I went to them to give them love, and show them someone cares. My feelings about animal abolition and animal exploitation were strengthened. I feel that animals exist for their own reasons and not for our pleasure or convenience.

As I walked home, I looked at the trees and thought of how huge they were. I thought that way about the horses. I have been a city dweller most of my life, so I don't get to interact with the animals my parents did when they were growing up. Thinking of the horses and the trees, I felt so small in comparison of those magnificent beings. The sky shows me how vast the earth is, and how we are a small part of it. The earth is alive. There is energy in the soil, the grass, the stones, and the plants. While I believe in respecting all sentient beings, I believe the earth feels our footsteps upon her. She feels our love, pain, and joy. We are all made of her elements. We can not survive without her. She is truly our mother that feeds us with her body.