Book Review: I Am Equus

By Sandy Amazeen Jun 9, 2010, 1:57 GMT

Have you ever felt there was more to your horse than most people presume? If so, you are probably right. What we take for granted from our horses has long been dismissed as simple instinct, but horses have the capacity for complex emotions, intelligence, and a consciousness not commonly accepted as a trait of the animal kingdom. Horses have demonstrated "human" traits such as humor and compassion for as long ...more

Drawing insights and inspiration from her personal experience with horses, particularly the headstrong Gerry, Anwar concludes that horses are frequently mistreated at the hands of often well intended humans who don’t understand their needs go beyond adequate food, water and shelter. Anwar asserts that horses all require a bond of trust which can sometimes be difficult to establish, especially with horses who have been mistreated. Once that bond is developed, it is up to the owner to do whatever is necessary to take care of and do what is best for that horse, even when it is inconvenient. That bond needs to work both ways as there are times when the horse will refuse to do something, only later does the rider realize the danger they would have put themselves in had they continued.

With a wealth of antidotal evidence to support her claims, this informative book is easy to read as it portrays horses possessing a much broader emotional range then many people feel comfortable with. Personally, as a former horse owner who has dealt with many animals over the years, it is difficult to understand why people have such a difficult time with this concept. Still, many insist it is anthropomorphizing to assign human responses to horses or other animals, which is unfortunate as it shortchanges both. Hopefully, Anwar’s thoughtful work can make head roads into this mindset to the enrichment of both.