There are certain things that don’t make sense to me. You know, things such as why men do what they do, and why the whole airplane isn’t made out of the indestructible material instead of just the black box.

The main thing that I can’t understand is why men seem to hate horses. Granted, not all men do. There are many who are very involved with and truly enjoy horses. However, from my experience, it appears that most men do not like horses, nor would they like anything to do with them.

This could be related to the average woman’s dislike of reptiles, bugs and other slimy things. I can promise that if you bring a bug within a foot of me you can expect to see me flip out. This has always been a source of great entertainment for many around me.

Though most men do not necessarily want to hurt horses, it seems they do not enjoy their presence and would prefer not to deal with them, the same relationship some women have with slimy things.

At the risk of accusing all men of being horse-haters, there are some valid reasons for this apparent dislike of this species. Horses generally eat a lot of hay and grain, thus the “hay burner” nickname they have acquired. Horses are large in stature and sometimes threaten the male need to be the bigger one.

Finally, horses are like big dogs. You talk to them, care for them and treat them like a friend. For the average person, that is an uncomfortable feeling.

Horses were once very important to the typical person’s daily life for numerous reasons from transportation to making a living. The horse was a staple in earlier times, and up until the middle of the 19th century, a needed part of life.

People have loved and worshiped horses from the earliest of times. Famous horses such as Seabiscuit and Man-O-War were some of the most followed athletes of the early 20th century, even more popular than many Olympic competitors.

Without horses, mankind’s progress would have been severely inhibited.

My family has been a fan of horses from the start. I can’t remember a time when we didn’t have horses to enjoy. I had many ponies as a child and still own a horse to this day. Many people tease me about my love for the equine species. I say it’s their loss.

It is difficult to understand why one would not appreciate an animal that, if given the chance, can fill almost any need for companionship the common person feels. The lack of respect for a species with such a large amount of beauty and grace is discouraging.

Horses have become somewhat useless compared to their earlier roles in the everyday lives of people. Nonetheless, their purpose can be much more understood by those who work with them on a daily basis.

Ask any trainer, breeder, rodeo-er or “horse chick” and they will tell you that horses have a special way of getting under your skin. They have their own unique attitudes and personalities, which consequently react to that of people to create a careful balance. This careful “harmony” has created a rich history of man or woman and their horses. Some may say this is a bit extreme, but if you think about it, what other animal can you think of that has had such a huge effect on so many people, places and cultures?

The horse has been an important part of everyone’s history in one way or another. The animal deserves respect and careful consideration. If you are one of those so-called horse-haters, stop and think about history. Did your relatives ride in on sheep? Doubtful, most likely they rode a horse.

Danelle Zellmer is a sophomore in public service and administration in agriculture from Atlantic.