Equitation Theory and History » Savage Devices

Henry Fleming

Do I have use ‘harsh’ knives and forks to eat? ?No. ?But the outcome is lovelier when I rise to it, and, so far, I’ve routinely avoided?stabbing myself in the face.

Bits and spurs are utensils, not medieval relics for torture. ?Could I?abuse the convenient proximity of silverware and potential victims of my notorious impatience with the civil, superficial discourse expected to accompany the average sit-down meal? ?Indeed. ?But not while observing the most basic laws of self-preservation, civilized norms, and deviating somewhat from the less savage intentions of silverware’s innovators … whomever they were.

In any event, it would be self-defeating, and certainly beyond the pale of?the artistic … unless I did it to make a point regarding the human condition (which, admittedly, I have considered from time to time: ?once as an adolescent under orders to?finish?my peas with a spork;?and more?recently, upon accidentally watching?a “Humane Horse Training” video. ?From Russia, no less).

Like any good teacher, I love my quadrupedal students fairly unconditionally. My relationship is richer with some than others. ?They seem to enjoy time with me also, though this may be purely sycophantic, as, obviously,?I’m the only one they know well bearing the precious qualities of 1)?opposable thumbs, and 2) access to a?feed room. Regardless, I would no sooner cause them discomfort than my own children in the course of training them?in a martial art, sport, ballet, etc. Considering the case of?my 13 year-old daughter perhaps?less pain. Perhaps somewhat less.

I am opposed to those who argue spurs (or bits in general), in and of themselves, are abusive. It seems?presumptuous of others – insulting, really – to imply?I’m any less capable of discerning and avoiding?discomfort in?other living creatures than they – certifications and what-have-you notwithstanding. ?Are they more empathetic? More sensitive? Who can say? I’ll tell you who can tell whom can say: ?Whomever I say can say – that’s who can say. And I say they can’t. Say. At least not without me whining?a diatribe about it, posting it on the internet, and then not worrying about it or them very much thereafter.

As long as?I’m saying who can say things, let me say this also: ?apparently few organisms?irk me more than the self-righteous. ?And I count those who go about promoting bit-less gear, treeless gear, and what have you, on a moral basis, under the implicit or explicit context of avoiding ‘animal abuse’ among them. They’re clearly ‘doing it wrong’ – and presuming everyone else must be as well – if they believe torture is the only possible effect of using “steel”.?

In a universe blessed with cartesian logic on the one hand, and damned by so many unresolved, confounding, irreconcilable, and yet?painfully?observable facts on the other, they, the self-appointed jury, operate with a blind abandon to both orders of truth – ignoring even the most glaring?conundrums facing the sentient. Appealing to a false (or at least highly?subjective) morality, promoting an invariably self-serving sentimentality, they create a mess of things among the young, naive, and uneducated – a mess we thinking people are obliged to either mop?up as best we can, or watch spread like a cancer among the innocent. ?But then I could be wrong about everything.

Bits and spurs are no more ‘abusive’ than knives, forks, and ‘back massagers’ – which?may all be used abusively. Or at least sinfully. ?I am quite certain I do not abuse them, and that my horses never feel abused by them. Moreover, I am certain the fidelity of communication they enable greatly expedites the education of my horses.

Could I operate without them? ?Of course I could. And 95% of the time, I do – whether I happen to be wearing them or not. But they are an essential appeal during early training.

Sadly, I am unable to prevent microbes from purchasing horses, or spurs, and from abusing them -?either through neglect, improper riding, unreasonable expectations, or from the misuse of equestrian tackle. But, regrettably, such abuse will go on occurring whether I use these instruments in my tiny universe, or whether I do not. Certainly, those who follow my prescriptions?will become talented and empathetic enough to use these instruments as intended.

To the work, cavaliers.

Leave a Reply