The happiness of horses

 The happiness of horses

Horses are amongst the most magnificent of the creatures sculpted by evolution, at least in our eyes, cherished for their beauty and companionship, and the work that they can do, and we still use their physical capacity as a measure of the power of our machines.

A century ago in the United States, the horse population was about a fifth of the human population. 

Measure for measure, each of us now utilize the power of a large pack of horses every day, without a thought about equine strength, prowess and beauty, or about the care living creatures require from us in return for the gifts they give.

About a hundred years ago there were 106 million people and 27 million horses on our part of the continent, approximately 350 million people now and perhaps 6 million horses. It is safe to say that the extant horses are generally healthier and far less stressed than they were in the pre-industrial era, usually treated with affection and respect by their human owners.

During the eons prior to domestication by people, when horses roamed wild and free, their population was controlled by predators and the environment. Survival has never been easy.

From our perspective, a well treated horse is probably happier overall than its ancestors, but this may be an illusion, presumption or rationalization.

I don't know much about horses. 

This poem is about artificial intelligence.

Aubrey Lieberman 

3/8/25