Alongside the domestic cat and dog, I think I'm on safe ground when I claim that the horse is as well loved as these other pets. The world would be a poorer place were it not for the horse and its long association with its two legged friend. If man was more at home in water, I believe that the dolphin would also have joined the same 'club' as these other wonderful animals.
Long before recorded history, the horse has assisted in the tilling of the land and could be relied upon in battle. Once that bond has been sealed between man and beast, it is a friendship made for a lifetime. Arguably, the most famous horse in all history is Bucephalus, the companion of Alexander the Great that lived and died in service to his master.
Another great warrior horse was Comanche, aptly named because of his involvement against the Indian nation, particularly during the battle of the Little Bighorn when Captain Keogh rode him under the command of General Custer.
In the UK, people remember the antics of Black Bess with affection; the subservient and loyal animal to the outlaw Dick Turpin who defiantly met his end at the gallows in York in 1739. And who can forget the fictional horse with a similar name – Black Beauty.
This horse was made famous, not only by a book of the same name, written by Anna Sewell, but by the movie industry that gave it a great boost. This author remembers with great affection how Trigger came to our big screens as the cowboy, Roy Rogers, rode him into town and dealt with all the 'baddies' as he sang his way into the heroin's arms with his horse always by his side.
We also have television to thank for giving us Mr Ed the talking horse – an unknown with the real name of Bamboo Harvester. They called the animal 'Mr Ed' and with the aid of a few editing tricks, he was able to give the impression that he could speak.
How many famous race horses can you name? Okay, there are hundreds of them so let me just name one – Red Rum, the greatest steeplechaser of all time. And finally I would like to add the most mythical of all horses, the unicorn, that has graced so many fantasy and mystical novels and movies.
Now I would like to add one more horse to this illustrious list. He is a magnificent black stallion and belongs to the realms of fiction. You will find him between the pages of a novel that is waiting for the right opportunity to be published, titled "The Meadow".
He was born before recorded history way back in antiquity. However, just like his human companions, Teuch and Anacaona, he is given the opportunity to live again, again and again, illustrating how life and spirit is eternal.
His name is Spethla and as he evolves, his name changes along with his role as an animal. Sometimes he reincarnates as another horse with a different colour, or as a dog. However, the name of Spethla is the one that stands out and will always capture the imagination of the reader.
Watch out for "The Meadow."