While Baucher in France and v. Rosenberg in Germany sought new ways to ride the modern horse, followed by Caprilli in Italy, Karl Benz in 1885 presented the first motor propelled automobile. Only three years later it was produced industrially. Technological development since has not ceased. Today it is difficult to imagine life without running water, electrical light, central heating, automobiles, air transport, cameras, films, telephones, mobiles, internet and GPS satelites. And yet these items are but the tip of a proverbial iceberg. They do not hint at the vast array of technology that supports them.
Can equitation be safe? The general lack of human proprioception plus poor body control, progressive faults in the horses' genetic formation, inhospitable environments and missing information speak against it. And yet the human wishes to be in touch with the horse. Why? One actually may wonder how this former customary and today unlikely alliance will act out and procreate.
A sense of devotion sets in. No, not devotion to a particular horse. A larger dimension is at stake. In German Andacht kommt auf. The kids silently ride their horses. In contact with something inside of themselves they tune into the horse's body. Only gradually the sense dissolves after dismounting. Sitting and acting accordingly they got in touch.
As a Christian I am reminded of God in the body, born as a human child. God's kingdom in us; man made in God's image. God suffering, dying, rising and ascending - in the body. God the man walking on water; defying gravity, space and time. What is it about the body?
