Abstract:
The universal centering of human life and activity produces the binary of the human as different from and superior to the nonhuman animal. This centering establishes the priorities, comfort, and survival of humans as more important than the health and well being of nonhuman animals. This preference for human concerns belittles the needs of nonhuman animal others. If human interaction with animals reflects much more about the human than the animal, then, this pervasive experience of preferential treatment for the human species is incontrovertibly linked to (human) conceptions of power and political identity. This project will specifically examine the possibilities of equitable horse and human relationships within the context of dressage training. I ask, "can training allow for a praxis of equity and justice between horses and humans?"
