Much as we might be inclined to anthropomorphize horses – Mr. Ed, anyone? – much as we’d like to put faith in rugged-as-Robert Redford “horse whisperers” to intuit deep meaning from every neigh or nod, the sad fact is that even the elite equine athletes in the Tevis Cup 100-Mile Trail Ride are sorely lacking in one important area.

“They don’t talk,” said Garrett Ford, last year’s winner of the Haggin Cup, awarded to the top-10 finisher in the Tevis whose horse was judged as best conditioned. “That, obviously, is the challenge.”

Oh, but think how much easier caring for and racing endurance horses would be if a common interspecies language were indeed possible.

They could tell riders and race veterinarians when, and exactly where, they are hurting. Read more…