Humans and horses have worked together for thousands of years. Horses were the main technology on the planet until fairly recently. They pulled our wagons and our logs from the forests; they fought our battles beside us; they carried doctors to patients and ponies worked deep in mines!

Horses, being very much larger than human beings, did not do these things by natural submission. They have been our partners because of their good natures and innate kindness. I watch this process daily. I have a horse who will stand as still as a stone for a new rider or a disabled person to climb into the saddle or dismount with helpers standing by. He will endure the pain and surprise of a misguided leg or foot digging into his side or flopping onto his buttocks. Yet, when I ride him, the slightest touch of the leg can move him forward and sideways. He knows the difference in what needs to be done for different humans.

The amazing part of this equine awareness is that many times it goes unrecognized. And while horses are large, reactive prey animals who can hurt us, they are most likely just trying to get away from us in dangerous situations.

To maintain our well being and safety working around horses, we need to know some facts about their eyesight and instincts. Equine eyes are set out on the sides of their heads so the horse is able to see almost 360 degrees around when grazing (the most vulnerable position for prey animals). Yet horses have a "blind spot" directly behind them and just under and in front of their noses. I often tell students, "If you can see the horse's eye, he can see you". So, we talk a lot just to let the horses know where we are. Horses do not like surprises and the last thing anyone wants to do is surprise a horse from behind.

Our safest place to be when near a horse is at his shoulder. We should approach the horse at his shoulder, too. This is where he can see us, yet we are out of kicking range and not easy to bite or strike with a front hoof. Now, horses are not usually intent upon biting, striking or kicking us - but a fly could make one kick at his belly; a previous owner might have fed tons of treats; any number of innocent reasons could put us in harm's way if we get into a vulnerable position. This is especially true with horses we do not know well.

That unusual (to us) eyesight also means that the horse can see two things at one time - from each eye on each side of his body. He is mostly noticing movement with this side vision and will often move suddenly when startled by something that, instinctively, could be a predator! This peripheral, monocular vision has no depth perception. The horse must face an object and see it with both eyes (binocular vision) to tell how far away it is. A horse jumping needs to face the jumps to tell how high and at what distance they are. To focus, the horse raises his head for distant objects and lowers his head to see something close by.

They are fascinating animals. Understanding horses helps us stay safe and helps them stay sane.

HERBAL PROFILE: MUGWORT 

Artiemisia vugaris (European) and Artemisia argyi (Asian)

In Asia, Mugwort is used as medicine and food. It contains thujone (as does Thuja) which can be toxic in large doses. It also contains flavinoids, triterpenes, coumarin and cineole, which is "wormwood oil". Mugwort is not the same as Wormwood; Artemisia absinthum, although they share vermifuge type properties.

Mugwort has been used in cancer treatment and prevention, as a dewormer and in pain relief. My midwife grandmother knew that burning mugwort near a birthing mother could turn a baby that was breech. She also said to turn the mother onto her left side. Mugwort is contraindicated during pregnany and lactation. It can be a uterine stimulant.

It has been an herb of protection when worn on the body and an herb for the deepest healing as moxabustion (or moxacautery).

The smoldering Moxa, as a small cone of herb or in a roll creates a penetrating and effective heat with lingering properties that work to relax, increase circulation, bring anti-bodies and clear lymph in specific areas and also to the whole body. Moxabustion should not be used during pregnancy, nor over wounds or burns.

I make an infused oil to use as "liquid moxa" on acupoints and old injuries. I simply warm equal amounts of herb and olive oil in a double burner for several hours. Leave it sit for 24 hours, then express the oil into a dark bottle. The infused oil can be used to make "moxa balm" by melting beeswax into it.