Horses have been revered for centuries!
The mark left by horses on the mental and psychic development of mankind can easily be seen in eastern cultures as well as in Greek and Roman mythology. Horses were often the bridge between heaven and earth, the messenger of the Gods.
Men who were to become leaders were brought up with horses. If successful, they became immortalized with them in statues, paintings and frescoes. The horse represented the leader’s courage, strength, heroism, beauty and vitality.
During the time of Alexander the Great in 356 B.C., a basic principle existed:
“Only those who can lead horses, can lead men or are worthy to do so.”
Horses have been mankind’s companion for centuries as a means of transportation, domestic or working animal. Horses have helped people cover large distances and broaden horizons.
A recollection of ancient cultures’ knowledge forms the basis for equine assisted leadership and personality training.
Alexander the Great and Bucephalus
In the year 344 BC a Thessalian horse dealer offered the horse Bucephalus - a massive creature with a massive head - to King Philip II of Macedon for the sum of thirteen talents (ancient unit). Because no one could tame the animal, Philip was not interested.
His ten-year-old son Alexander, however, was, and promised to pay for the horse himself should he fail to tame it. He was given a chance and surprised all by subduing it. He spoke soothingly to the horse and turned it towards the sun so that it could no longer see its own shadow, which had been the cause of its distress. Dropping his fluttering cloak as well, Alexander successfully tamed the horse.
The incident impressed Philip so much that he told the boy: “O my son, seek thee out a kingdom equal to and worthy of thyself, for Macedonia is too little for thee.”