(Un)Stable Relations: Horses, Humans and Social Agency

Lynda Birke is Visiting Professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Chester, UK. From a background in natural sciences (specialising in ethology), she later focused more on interdisciplinary research in feminist studies and human-animal studies. But more importantly, horses have shaped her life, and it was inevitable that she would eventually figure out a way to do research that included them. Lynda has been involved with equines all her life, from Pony Club, through show jumping and three-day eventing, as well as carriage driving. Her current jumping partners are two feisty mares, Dalusha and Doretha, and she lives with three equally feisty dogs - and her partner - in rural Shropshire. Kirrilly Thompson is an Associate Professor at Central Queensland University’s Appleton Institute in Adelaide. She is a galloping cultural anthropologist interested in formalising Equestrian Social Science. Her research spans the risk perceptions and behaviours of equestrians, including the potential of human attachments to horses to promote safety and wellbeing. Kirrilly has been training, teaching and competing in pony club, showing and dressage since she was a teenager. She is the human of Angel dog, Chelsea horse, Lavazza horse and Mouse horse.

Contents



Dedication



Introduction



Part One: Introducing Horse-Human Relationships



Chapter One: Equine co-travellers



Chapter Two: Animals as social actors: Relations, action and agency



Part Two: Thinking Horses: How Humans Set the Context



Chapter Three: Natural Horses



Chapter Four: Symbolic Horses



Chapter Five: Equestrian Cultures



Part Three: Meeting Horses: Moving Together



Chapter Six: Choreographies



Chapter Seven: Moving with Motive



Part Four: Acting on Equine Agency



Chapter Eight: Agency Matters



Chapter Nine: Agency, Action and Horses: Unstable Relations



Bibliography