World Horse Day
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(told by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Horses are one of the most fascinating animals for humans. They are big, muscular, overwhelming and mysterious. In my first years at Gut Aiderbichl, I felt very insignificant and small next to the horses, and there was also fear involved. For many years now, the fear has faded, but the respect for the proud, graceful four-legged friends has remained. I love it when, for example, Bimbo, the Friesian from the circus, puts his head on my shoulder and we both virtually “beam away” from the earth.
Around 700 horses from the most diverse fates live on the Gut Aiderbichl estates: they come from the circus like our Friesians, they were in competitive sport like our Fee, they stood at the foal market like Katharina or they made people happy like our Markus or Peter, the Noriker. They pulled the carriage and were allowed to retire to Gut Aiderbichl.
The adaptability of horses
60 million years ago, the horse had a similar appearance to the dog. It was about 35 centimetres high and walked on paws through the swampy forests. There are countless fossil finds that tell us about the development of the horse.
One of the horse’s strengths is its adaptability. During the Ice Age, the horse migrated over land bridges to Europe and Asia and gradually conquered five continents. The original home of the horse was South America, where it became extinct around 10,000 years ago. Today’s mustangs are descendants of the horses brought over by the Spanish conquistadors.
The living conditions on earth changed, the horses migrated from the forests to the steppe, they changed their appearance and began to live in herds. With the help of the horse, it became possible for humans to conquer territories and at some point the horse also played a not insignificant role in warfare.
For thousands of years, horses were used as riding and draught animals. They were harnessed to carriages or ploughs. Cold-blooded breeds in particular, such as the English Shire Horses, weighed up to a tonne and were capable of pulling twice their weight.
The importance of the horse in the 20th and 21st centuries
Horses are ridden and still work in agriculture and tourism as carriage horses. However, they also serve as “instruments of entertainment”. Many of the Aiderbichl horses, such as Il en Reve, who is now 20 years old and lives in Moulin, Gut Aiderbichl France. There he can simply be a horse and graze and exercise with his fellow horses in the huge meadows. He has twice taken part in the cross-country steeplechase race in Pardubitz. Miraculously, he survived this madness. Numerous horses have lost their lives on gruelling courses. Maltreated, driven and often dead… Full of sensationalism, people from all over the world stand in the spectator area and get their adrenalin pumping.
A thought for the slaughter horses
Our Franzi is a warmblood horse and was fattened up to the size of a cold blood. The scales showed about 300kg too much, so Franzi would have brought more money after slaughter. He carried his heavy body on broken hooves. It was as painful as if a person had to walk on tiptoe all day.
Franzi fell in love with a warmblood horse, our Fee, a few months later at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf. Out of sheer fear and stress, she collapsed twice in the horse dealer’s stable. She was not allowed to be delivered to Poland because she was far too weak. Fee arrived in winter and was shaved bald. There was a dirty blanket on her back. Her eyes and body language told of a long ordeal. She was sad and in pain. Now Franzi and Fee have been giving each other strength for many years.
A thought about the sports machines among the horses
I will never be able to forget the pained face of “Saint Boy” at the Tokyo Olympics…
The horses at Gut Aiderbichl have been my teachers for years and I don’t think any of them want to feel the crop, spurs or punches. If you look at the eyes of “Saint Boy”, you can see stress and pain, despair and fear.
I don’t want to pass judgement, but it would have been great to dismount, lead the horse out of the arena and stroke his neck.
“If people think that horses can’t feel, then horses must feel that people can’t think”.
The horse as a coach for humans
I have been a collector for a good 14 years – I collect experiences with horses. Even as a child, I was always fascinated by them – the “tall” animals on four legs. But there was not only fascination, there was also fear. Every horse I got to know was a lot taller than me. Somehow I felt like a little ant next to the big horse and Michael Aufhauser always said: “Horses don’t step on ants, don’t you dare!”. He was proved right.
Did you know that horses can coach people and that people are not just the coaches of horses?
Everyone carries their own personal fears around with them, including me. But I got my fears under control with the help of a wonderful horse. Larry, a former show horse, stood in the stable lane at Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf for many years. A beautiful animal, I wanted to stroke him so much. But there was fear. Next to Larry stood an even bigger horse: Krümmel, a Belgian Brabanter. My fear was even greater and more threatening.
One day, during a tour of the farm with the guests, I stopped in front of Larry’s box and talked about his life. People became calmer and more moved. What was happening? I sensed that something was different and stopped talking. Larry’s head was above my head. I froze like a pillar of salt. He blew on me with his warm breath, the warmth slid over my face and just felt good. You could have heard a pin drop, it was so quiet in the stable lane. I turned round slowly and had Larry’s nostrils in front of my nose. He came towards me and we stood there – nostrils to forehead, so to speak. Today, Larry has been in love with Hedi, a beautiful mare, for several years. The bond between Larry and me is still there. If I have a problem, I go into their box and “discuss” everything with Larry, my great friend.
Do you know the feeling of being faced with a decision and not knowing which direction to take in life? A problem or a question has been bothering you for a long time and you just can’t find an answer? Animals – horses are the supporters and experts of the human soul. By nature, they are our coach. Horses see us without judgement and with their gentle nature they manage to open every “petrified” heart and time and again they bring the solution to the human problem to light.
Larry, Markus, Burli, Massimo, Alpache and all their names are waiting for you! Have the courage to open up and register for one of our workshops. Either “Relaxing with horses” or “Self-encounter with horses”. Our equine coach, Sandra Gatterer, will be happy to advise you personally.
Yours sincerely, Gisela
