Horses and Other Engineering Marvels
Depending on which way I decide to drive into work each morning i frequently will have to stop for a “horse crossing” at a horse racetrack. There will be jockeys and warm-up riders taking these magnificent creatures from the stables to the warm-up track across this street and a crossing guard will leave his guard station to direct traffic as needed.
These horses are bred for speed and not so much for docility. They don’t always respond well to the rider’s direction and will act very nervously towards the waiting stopped vehicles. Horses were designed for human riders. The shape of the back, the mane, the hooves, the temperament and so on all indicate this. And yet, each of them have a distinct character if you will. Some just walk calmly across the street, while others seem to be very anxious about the situation and ready to bolt at any moment.
Even so, they will yield to the guiding of their riders eventually and allow us motorists to continue on our ways. Horses are big, powerful animals and people that handle such creatures must be very skilled riders to manage them. My limited experience with horseback riding has taught me that horses don’t seem to mind being ridden, though they would rather be doing their own thing like grazing or standing quietly somewhere near some other horses.
Waiting at this crossing can be a pain, but the opportunity to admire one of the Creator’s masterpieces of engineering is well worth it.
Wayne Hollyoak