So, I called the United Nations today. I wanted to know if indeed today was International Day of the Horse. Like a bear fighting her way out of a thicket, I punched away at 1s and 2s and 4s until finally I spoke with an actual human being.
That human being–a nice woman, who kept calling me,”Sir”–told me that, if today was International Day of the Horse, there would have been a memo in the emails of everyone associated with the United Nations.
No email today. They didn’t get the memo, as they say.
You see, today in the United States, it’s National Day of the Horse. On the Facebook page of the Equine Welfare Alliance, we’re informed that the Congress of the United States declared December 13th to be National Day of the Horse, in 2004. This is an annual celebration of The Horse, and the debt of gratitude that Americans owe to the God-given species.
The entire world should celebrate The Horse, as well–so earlier this year, Her Royal
Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein decided to put a proposal before the United Nations, to declare the same date as International Day of the Horse…
I don’t have to tell you about HRH Princess Haya, but I’ll fill in just a bit, for those who aren’t aware of her because they live on Mars.
HRH Princess Haya is a daughter of the late, great King Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Her brother, King Abdullah II, is the monarch of Jordan. Her sister, HRH Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein, is a defender of horses,humans and many other animals. (The Princess Alia Foundation does remarkable work, for myriad blessed recipients of her kindness. https://sites.google.com/site/princessaliafoundation/ She serves also as a Patron of another very worthy organization, the Brooke. )
But I digress! (You who read my stuff regularly are used to that, aren’t you? I’d apologize, but I’ve decided to think of it as part of my charming,quirky personality.)
😉
Princess Haya is an Olympics equestrian in her own right. She has her own Thoroughbred racing stable. She’s the very-beloved President of FEI, the Federation Equestre Internationale (www.fei.org) On her website, www.princesshaya.net , she promotes many humanitarian causes. I wonder if she sleeps–it seems that she’s working on behalf of those who need her–both horse and human–24 hours a day.
She’s also a devoted Mother, and the wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai. (If I have to tell you the tremendous role that Sheikh Mohammed plays in international horse racing, then I know that you live in another galaxy. His deep love of The Horse and breeding and racing savvy are a matter of record, and renown.)
HRH Princess Haya is no stranger to the United Nations: in 2007, she was named a Messenger of Peace, the highest honor bestowed on a global citizen by the U.N.’s Secretary-General. Clearly, Princess Haya has experience, education, passion, compassion and a deep drive to aid the inhabitants of this planet.
Her compassion extends to the horses of our world, and early in 2013, it was announced that she would propose to the United Nations that today, December 13, be declared, International Day of the Horse. Her proposal had the full support of FEI.
But I’d not heard anything about it being official, and can’t find anything on the Internet except for the announcements that she was going to make the proposal. I assumed that the U.N. had opted not to declare thus.
But God knows, I never want to put in writing something that’s not backed-up by facts. Hence, my call to the U.N. this morning.
I think it’s a darned shame–a sin, actually–if the U.N. either made the conscious decision not to declare it, or if it got lost in the shuffle down there in New York City. Princess Haya’s intention was that the world would take at least one day to acknowledge the enormous role that’s been played in the history of the world–of every culture–by The Horse. Her Royal Highness knows that, without The Horse, civilization as we know it would not exist.
The world–not just the United States–owes a debt of profound gratitude to The Horse. For thousands of years, our closest companion animal has carried the weight of the world on her back. Whether carrying humans into new lands and discovery, or carrying bricks to build homes —horses always have been there for us, and continue their hard labor and great love affair with our unworthy human species.
Humans need horses. If they’re not helping us build a well or carrying burdens for us–they’re carrying the weight of our hearts and souls as our best friends. There is no doubt in my mind–or in that of none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein–that our debt to The Horse is one that never can be repaid.
Princess Haya is an Alpha Mare, obviously. She looks out for the welfare of her entire herd–and her herd inhabits all of Planet Earth. Her proposal, that today is International Day of the Horse, is brilliant, and valid. I’m an Alpha Mare, too…so, because the U.N. apparently dropped this ball, I, too, declare that today is International Day of the Horse.
It’s already night-time in Dubai, and it’s the 14th in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other places on our globe. So we’re going to extend this and propose that this year we celebrate International DayS of the Horse. December 13 and 14, 2013. Wherever you are on our big, blue marble–please celebrate, honor, love, defend, champion The Horse.
I don’t care what breed of horse you love best. You may dig ponies, Arabians, Clydesdales, Appaloosas, Morgans, Akhal Tekes, Paints, Marwaris, Mongolian Horses, Quarter Horses, mules or donkeys. If it’s an equine–if it has four legs and a mane, and owns part of your soul–do something on these two days to bless your breed.
* Feed a horse.
* Pet a horse.
* Do something to help stop horse slaughter.
* Step up to the plate when you hear of equine abuse or neglect.
* Write a letter.
* Open your big mouth, and make the world a better place for the equine species–the innocent, intelligent, sentient, loving, loyal animals who worked side-by-side to create civilization as we know it.
* If you’re an expert in one breed or horse, or one sport or discipline–stick your neck out. Learn about another breed, another discipline.
* If you’re a fan of horse racing, pull your head out of the Racing Form long enough to thank God for the horses in your Virtual Stable. Then, step even farther outside your comfort zone: get out your wallet, and throw some money at the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance or another organization that works for the welfare and safety of horses. If you’re a bettor–you owe it to the horses. They owe you…nothing.
Whatever you do–do something. December 13 and 14 can be a time of great healing for the horses of the world–if only we, the millions of people who truly love equines and care about them–and who realize their priceless value to human culture–will do more than just “like” a page on Facebook. I don’t have to tell you again that “liking” something does not actually DO anything. “Like” equine welfare pages, please do–then get off the computer and DO something to back up your claim of loving The Horse.
Thank you for celebrating the International Days of the Horse. We don’t need the U.N. to make it so–HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein’s heart and intentions brought the concept into being: all we need do is follow her example.
God bless.
Post Script: Last night, a barn fire in Sand Lake, New York, USA, took the lives of four horses and their owner, Keith Meissner. God rest the souls of those horses, and rest that of , Mr. Meissner. He died trying to save his horses. I’ve pasted the e-blast from Sharon LaPier at Cornell Cooperative Extension-Equine, about the event and how we can help. Donating to the Meissner family fund would be a wonderful way to honor those four horses and Mr. Meissner. Think about it. Thank you.
🙁
Tragic Fire Claims Life of Man and Four Horses
Terrible news has come to our attention through several sources: a local family in Sand Lake, NY was affected by a tragic barn fire last night (12/12/13). Keith Meissner, lost his life braving the burning building in an attempt to rescue the horses inside. The barn is a complete loss and four horses also died in the fire.
The local horse community is coming together to help. One of the groups helping is Show Off Equine. Show Off Equine is collecting donations for the family. They say on their FB page “the victims lost so much so quickly, and while no amount of money can replace their loved ones, we are hoping our efforts can at least assist them in caring for their surviving horses and rebuilding.”
Anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so via PayPal (ShowOffEquine@gmail.com), writing a check (made payable to SHOWOFF EQUINE and indicate Victims of West Sand Lake Barn Fire on the memo line) and mailing it to: Show Off Equine, 195 Clipp Rd. Delmar, NY 12054, or by “PMing” them on Facebook to make other arrangements. Also, anyone wishing to donate feed, buckets, blankets, etc. can drop those off to The Equine Clinic at OakenCroft in Ravena. Stay tuned for other fundraising efforts for this family. Please share and cross-post this information by following this link
PHOTO CREDITS:
White Horse of Uffington
courtesy of www.hows.org.uk
Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, 2010
courtesy of her office.
Horse Noses
M.E. Altieri
Hilal Al Zaman
courtesy of Dr. Mohammad Bin ‘Abdul-‘Aziz Al-Nujaifi
Wren Marshall and Secret
courtesy of Wren Marshall and Secret
