horsesforlife

               According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Culture is “the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; […]d: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic[…]”   Letter d seems almost custom made for the Horse world.  Horse people learn early that horses require discipline, focus, and determination to succeed.  The horse world customs are passed down from generation to generation, changing slowly.  How else would a new competitor know to salute the judge, paint their horse’s hoofs, or to wear a certain type of clothes?   

          Perhaps, the horse world, even have subcultures, based on the disciplines.  For someone, who has never competed or worked in the capacity of driving, would have little clue, how to tack up a horse, the art of dressing, or training the horse.  On the other side, a person, having received the foundation of horse care, would transition easily.  So, my beloved readers, can horses be considered a culture by itself with or without subcultures, or is it a figment of my imagination?  As usual, let me know what you think.