This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (BRIAN C JACOBSEN) Sini,
When you wrote: >Another thing we've been thinking about is the prey-predator theory. >Humans are often considered as predators in the eyes of a horse according >to many books and trainers. But second thoughts: our evolutional roots >are so close to apes which has been proved e.g. genetically that we can >hardly be predators. The apes that are closest to us are very much prey >animals even though some of them may eat occasional insects that they >come across. Although our eyes are at the same side of the head and the >ears are fairly immobile that doesn't mean we are predators because apes >have the very same qualities. Humans can learn to use tools and weapons >in order to prey upon - we are not BORN with them so we must be more like >prey animals. Apes nor we have the kind of claws or teeth that are >necessary for a predator. You have been given some wrong information which I think may be confusing the issue; It has never been proven, genetically or otherwise, that people evolved from apes. So called "missing links" have all been proved to be variations in a species rather than a separate and intermediate species. So to compare us to apes as to whether or not one is a predator or a prey species will lead to incorrect conclusions. Also, predator-prey relationships are variable depending on which animals are being compared. For instance, wolves are predatory to many animals, but in regards to bears, they are not. So comparing us to apes when it is really our relationship to horses that is in question, will be inaccurate. Another factor that makes the issue hard to delineate is that traditional predator-prey roles can become blurred. Many people own dogs and cats in the same household, and the two can get along marvelously, whereas in the wild their relationship would be that of predator prey (my parents just lost a cat to coyotes as an example). Additionally, there are other relationships besides just predator-prey; Other relationships include: symbiotic (helping each other), indifferent, adversarial but not predator-prey. The authors who say we approach horses from a predatorial standpoint may not have considered other relationships well enough. Possibly the thing that causes the most difficulty when this issue is being discussed is the terminology. The dictionary defines predator as "An animal that preys upon others." We are not attempting to prey upon horses. Instead we desire to control them to accomplish our plans or purposes. And in return for expecting things from them, we give food, shelter, and love. A term different from and better than "predator" is needed to describe this relationship. I think you are correct in your final analysis where you say, in effect, that horses analyze each situation as it arises rather than just characterizing everything as a predator or not. Brian Jacobsen, DVM Norwegian Fjordhest Ranch Salisbury, North Carolina ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]
