We’re in the middle of the dog days of summer, and I tell you, I suspect if someone asked the dogs they wouldn’t like this either. We’ve been in an “excessive heat warning” since Wednesday, and it’s due to expire tomorrow evening. We’re almost through it. My job is to keep the water troughs filled and make sure that the horses get their electrolytes with their dinner so they can stay hydrated. This weather is rough on everyone, including the wildlife.
I’ve started to notice an interesting interaction when I go out to close the chickens in their coop at night. I see deer drinking from the horse troughs. I also see bugs climbing down the inside to take a sip, or even in the case of wasps, standing on the surface of the water and drinking before flying off again. The water troughs aren’t just for the horses; they’re for all the creatures.
I feel like we’re not looking at the resources of this planet in much the same way. I mean I could get upset and angry that animals I am not directly responsible for are drinking out of our water troughs. That water comes from our well and groundwater is a finite resource. In fact, we’re dry enough that I’m conserving where and when I can. I cannot calculate the water used by deer anymore than I can calculate the sips taken by wasps. And yet, do they not deserve a cool drink on a hot day too? Do they not deserve part of our planet’s resources, the very planet on which we all have to live, together?
The horses do not care. The horses do not ask me to keep the deer away. They gladly share their pasture with them.
I think that’s the horse wisdom we need to be taking with us, that there is enough on this planet for all of its creatures, including ourselves, if we simply choose to share. We do not need to hoard. We do not need to stash things away. We can share, and there will be enough for everyone, and I consider that powerful wisdom indeed.
