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

Description

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