How often do we casually talk of “never looking a gift horse in the mouth" and stop to think of its meaning? Of course, a gift-horse would still bring a smile to our faces today, but I wonder how much more?
There was a time when the gift of a horse was one of real and meaningful generosity. This gift could represent real economic benefit, whether ploughing fields or taking goods to market. Often without our horses our livelihoods were compromised. A cross species co-dependency beyond most contemporary imagination.
The original phrase derives from checking the teeth as an indication of age. A practice considered poor manners in the context of a gift. But in these easier times, what is this gift? This gift offers the potential reconnection to that age-old relationship. How many of us acknowledge that connection or feel something of that eternal resonance?
There was a time when the gift of a horse was one of real and meaningful generosity. This gift could represent real economic benefit, whether ploughing fields or taking goods to market. Often without our horses our livelihoods were compromised. A cross species co-dependency beyond most contemporary imagination.
The original phrase derives from checking the teeth as an indication of age. A practice considered poor manners in the context of a gift. But in these easier times, what is this gift? This gift offers the potential reconnection to that age-old relationship. How many of us acknowledge that connection or feel something of that eternal resonance?
Humans have been fascinated and inspired by them for millennia, we see this in ancient cave paintings. In our dreams they retain something of that magic, we might soar through the heavens on a winged Pegasus.
We might reach out and touch the unicorn’s healing horn.
In our physical interactions they can serve as a portal, a gateway back to a connection to primitive emotional connection, not just to the animal but to nature herself, to that world we are part of, but we too often neglect.
Beside the horse, once again we are nature, authentic and connected. Horses bring us home to Gaia. When we stand open and honestly before them, they become bearers of the gift. First though, we must see the horse, recognise the sentient being before us, and acknowledge the giver and the guide. Only then might we be able to explore what the gift brings.
GRAEME GREEN
We might reach out and touch the unicorn’s healing horn.
In our physical interactions they can serve as a portal, a gateway back to a connection to primitive emotional connection, not just to the animal but to nature herself, to that world we are part of, but we too often neglect.
Beside the horse, once again we are nature, authentic and connected. Horses bring us home to Gaia. When we stand open and honestly before them, they become bearers of the gift. First though, we must see the horse, recognise the sentient being before us, and acknowledge the giver and the guide. Only then might we be able to explore what the gift brings.
GRAEME GREEN