Wagging Tails - Horse talk under Blue Sky

In a meadow high above Vlychos' road,
Dokos’ grand silhouette makes a timeless ode,
Grazed horses, tails swishing in the gentle breeze,
Amidst the wildflowers beneath the ancient trees.

Bella and Maximos, in coats of chestnut and grey,
Basked in the sunshine of this tranquil day.
Their eyes are on the horizon, where sea meets sky,
Their hearts are full of wonder as the clouds drift by.

They spoke of tails, a simple, joyful grace,
Of humans long lost, who once shared our case.
"Imagine," said Bella, "a time so long past,
When humans, like us, had tails to cast."

Maximos nodded, pondering this curious thought,
Of balance and wagging, what evolution brought.
“We’ve kept our tails for swatting flies away,
For communicating joy in our equine way.”

The sun climbed higher, painting shadows long,
As birds sang softly, a gentle noontime song.
The grass was sweet, the clover blooms bright,
A perfect harmony of Hydra nature's delight.

They spoke of ancient ties to creatures old and new,
Of human dreams and equine species views.
"Imagine a human wagging a tail," Maximos grinned,
"A sight so funny, where would they begin?"

Bella laughed, her eyes a sparkling light,
"Each creature has its own special right.
We swish and sway; they smile and embrace,
Each finds beauty in this shared space."

As the day moved on, their friendship grew,
In silent understanding, under skies so blue.
Two horses, pondering the world's grand tale,
Their hearts were as vast as the open trail.

In the divine stillness, they found their lustrous way,
Through meadows of green, in the warmth of the day.
And as evening fell, with stars shining bright,
Bella and Maximos whispered, “Goodnight.”

In dreams, they wandered through ancient lands,
Tails and tales entwined like shifting sands.
For in the Vlychos meadow high above the sea,
They found the magic of what life could be.

From ancient shadows, where the earth was young and in constant change,
A creature emerged, both elegant and robust, through ages refined.
A horse slowly shaped, through aeons of life's relentless march,
With ancestors scaled, small as dogs, they braved the endless plains.

Teeth and hooves transformed, step by step, through time's grand stage,
From forest shelter to the open light to fields vast and wide.
Hyracotherium, the first among horses, nimble and small,
Made way for new species, adapted to nature's harsh decree.

Where Eohippus trod, with four toes, dainty and neat,
An evolutionary leap to Protohippus, a precursor of today's horse.
Millennia passed, hooves grew strong, teeth suited for grass,
From forest refuge to plains of green, they evolved with grace.

Miohippus and Merychippus they battled through the ages,
Adaptation's struggle, survival's trials, arduous and tough.
Pliohippus, a step on the path near the horse we now see,
Proud and powerful, with a single toe, galloping through history’s land.

Then came Equus, our species today, the crown of evolution’s path,
Adapted for speed, for flight’s swift escape, over fields so free.
Thousands upon thousands of years in service to man, in partnership,
From battlefields to the farmer’s plough, a loyal companion are we.

In hexameter’s rhythm, a tribute to the noble horse's form,
A saga of survival, of nature’s power, and of time’s passage.
From ancient shadows to today’s light, the horse's grand journey,
An eternal symbol of strength and freedom, forever our friend and our faith.
Hydra, July 2024

Wagging Tails – Horse talk under Blue sky

High above Vlychos Road, the sun is shining, the sky is sparkling blue, and a group of horses graze peacefully on a lush meadow, with the silhouette of Dokos Island in the background. These happy horses have an unbeatable view, and as they munch on the fresh grass, they chat about their surroundings.

A horse named Bella lifts her head and gazes at the horizon. "Look at that view," she says. "It's simply breathtaking. I could stand here all day and take it all in."

Her friend, Maximos, swishes his tail to keep the flies away and nods in agreement. "Absolutely, Bella. The grass here is also top-notch. It's so fresh and tender, just how we like it."

Their conversation, as surreal as it may seem, mirrors the communication methods of other animals, particularly dogs, whose tail-wagging has intrigued scientists for years. Much like horses appreciate the quality of their environment, dogs use their tails to express their emotions and communicate with humans and other dogs.

Bella: (chewing on grass she found on an extra green patch) "We've got an unbeatable view up here. Dokos looks stunning today."

Maximos: (nodding) "Absolutely. And this grass is top quality. Ever wonder if dogs appreciate their surroundings like we do?" He swatted a few flies with his tail, sending them tumbling down the slope. “Why do dogs wag their tails if not to get rid of flies?” Maximos asked.

Alekos: (curious) "Speaking of dogs, I heard humans get excited when their dogs wag their tails. Ever wonder why they do that?"

Bella: "I read somewhere that dogs are among the few animals primarily using their tails for communication. For humans, there’s nothing more heartwarming than coming home to a dog excitedly wagging its tail."

Maximos: (interested) "Really? So, why do dogs wag their tails, exactly?"

Bella: "Well, I understand that scientists have a few theories. One is called the 'domestication syndrome' hypothesis. It suggests that humans might have unintentionally selected for tail-wagging because it was linked with other favourable traits like tameness and friendliness."

Alekos: "That makes sense. We horses aren’t so tame that we sleep in people’s beds and wag our tails as soon as our owners approach. But what about consciously selecting for it?"

Bella: "That’s another theory—the 'domesticated rhythmic wagging' hypothesis. It posits that humans might have consciously or unconsciously preferred tail-wagging during domestication due to an innate attraction to rhythmic stimuli."

Maximos: "Interesting. So, dogs wag their tails differently to convey different messages?"

Bella: "Yes, exactly. A dog wagging more to the right might be curious and friendly while wagging to the left could indicate uncertainty. A low tail wag, where the tail is pinned down, is often a sign of insecurity or submission."

Alekos: (surprised) "I didn’t know that! Can dogs understand these signals in each other?"

Bella: "Yes, they can. In a study, dogs were shown videos of silhouettes of other dogs wagging to the left, and they responded with more anxiety than those wagging to the right."

Maximos: "Fascinating. But are there still gaps in this understanding?"

Bella: "Definitely. Scientists are particularly interested in how much tail-wagging is conscious versus unconscious. They suggest more systematic studies, like analysing videos and measuring physiological responses such as heart rates and hormone levels during tail-wagging. Neuroimaging techniques could also provide deeper insights into what’s happening in dogs’ brains during this behaviour."

Alekos: "Understanding why dogs wag their tails could teach us a lot about our own history, too. Don’t you think?"

Bella: "Exactly. Since humans domesticated dogs, understanding this behaviour could shed light on the evolution of our species. As one researcher put it, studying modern dogs can give us a glimpse into the past and the impact of early humans on their canine companions."

Maximos: "Who knew a wagging tail could tell such a story?"

Alekos: "Indeed. And speaking of stories, this grass here tells me it's time for lunch."

Bella: (laughing) "Enjoy, everyone. Here's to more tales and tails!"

The horses continue grazing, their conversation blending into the peaceful sounds of the meadow, a soothing backdrop to their thoughts.

Bella: "You know, humans used to have tails too. They lost them over time, but they still have a little tailbone that shows they once had one."

Maximos: (ears perked up) "Really? That's interesting. I can't imagine humans with tails. What do you think they used them for?"

Bella: (swishing her tail thoughtfully) "Well, probably not for swatting flies like we do. Maybe for balance or communication, like dogs and us. It's funny to think about how different they are now."

Maximos: (nodding) "It does make you wonder. I heard that tailbones are called the coccyx. It's a small reminder of what once was. Just like our tails help us communicate, maybe theirs did too, a long time ago."

Bella: "Humans have evolved so much, haven't they? They walk upright, build cities, and communicate in such complex ways. Losing their tails must have been part of their journey to becoming who they are today."

Maximos: "Yeah, it's all part of evolution. Just like how we’ve adapted to our surroundings. We've got these beautiful tails that help us communicate and keep those pesky flies at bay."

Bella: (chuckling) "And let's not forget the wagging. Sometimes, I think humans wish they still had tails to wag when they're happy. It’s such a clear way to show how we feel."

Maximos: (swishing his tail more vigorously, making a playful motion) "I bet they do! Can you imagine a human wagging their tail when they see someone they love? It would be quite the sight."

Bella: (laughing) "It would indeed. But I suppose they have their ways of showing affection and joy. Smiles, hugs, even just how they look at each other."

Maximos: (sighing contentedly) "Yes, every species has its unique way of expressing itself. Our tails, their smiles... it's all part of the beautiful diversity of life."

Bella: "You’ve noticed that when humans ride you bareback, without a saddle, you can feel that tailbone when their rump lands too hard on your back. It hurts."

They both stand in silence for a moment, appreciating the serene landscape and their unique place in the world. The conversation about tails had given them a new perspective on evolution and the subtle connections between all living beings.

Bella: "Well, we should get back to grazing. This grass isn't going to eat itself."

Maximos: "True. And who knows, maybe one day humans will come up here and marvel at our tails, just as we marvel at their world."

With that, the two horses return to their grazing, their tails gently swishing in the breeze, a reminder of their place in the ongoing story of evolution. Maximos wonders if the flies they swatted landed down below on Vlychos Road. If so, there must be piles of dead flies there. Every horse knew that if you stumbled down the slope, there would be no more grass-eating forever.