Gala Argent Acknowledgements
The seeds of this volume began with an interdisciplinary session I convened at the Association of Social Anthropologists of the UK and Commonwealth’s conference in 2011 in Lampeter, Wales, as the study of human-equine intersections was cohering. When a flood of proposals from ethologists, anthropologists, archaeologists, artists, feminist theorists, and psychologists came in, that session on our human relationships with horses was given special dispensation to go all day. That session spawned several of the chapters in this anthology, and my thanks go to all who stuck with this book. It also fostered long-term friendships and collaborations that have fueled my evolution as a scholar and person; here thanks are due to Lucy Rees, Arieahn Matamonasa-Bennett, and Angela Hofstetter. Of that group, special thanks to Angela Hofstetter, who put many miles and much insight into this volume. Jeannette Vaught, who was a joy to work with, is owed propers as a wonderful and insightful co-editor. I am also appreciative of discussions with Marion Mangelsdorf, Letizia Bindi, and Helen Sampson. Thanks to my colleague at Eastern Kentucky University, Bob Mitchell, who has organized the biennial “Living with Animals” conference since 2013, for supporting what started out as a single session called “Living with Horses” through its progression to a standing two-day conference. Appreciation goes to all the speakers and participants along the way who have helped me, and each other, grow as both scholars as horse people.
My other colleagues and teachers—the ones who live or have lived in the barn and have graced me with their patience, wisdom, and forgiveness—will never read this. Nevertheless, if any kernel found in this book leads to better understanding—and thus better treatment—of horses somewhere, it has served the purpose I had in mind. When all is said and done, this book is for the horses.
Jeannette Vaught Acknowledgements
Thanks go first and foremost to Gala Argent, whose humor, kindness, and mentorship has sustained this work. Gratitude goes as well to the horses and the horse people: Dallas taught me how to ask horses questions and listen to their answers. My parents, George and Liliane, gave me every chance to be with horses, learn from many teachers, and spend countless hours with horses as