What's in a name?

From Jim: We have a lot of horses, donkeys, and mules. They all have names. They all know their names. And, believe it or not, they know each other's names. I'm not making this up. When I call to a particular animal, they will acknowledge me with a look or turned ear or an approach. Not so remarkable. The other critters in the area will often look at the animal being called-not me. They recognize their herd mates' appellations. Now, when you consider how very non-verbal equines are and that herd behavior is usually proximity and focally governed, their adaptation to our languaging is amazing. I guess the parallel is our attempts to read their non-verbal language of subtle gestures and movements. In the attempt to describe this, I have really tried to leave out any assignment of human behavior to equines. I don't think that's fair. They are not "equi-people" and it's a big mistake to think of them that way. It's probably even dangerous. Their behaviors are governed very differently than ours. Tina Turner's great song, "What's Love Got To Do With It", is pretty accurate when it comes to equines' reactions. They'll do what horses do and if you're in the way, you'll get hurt. That's on us, not them. They most likely said, "Look Out, I'm on the move!", and we didn't get the message. They are quicker than us. They are not reflective animals. The proto-horses that pondered issues, like,"I wonder if that's a dangerous animal?", got eaten all gone. The modern equine was behaviorly shaped to react-then think. They're also herd animals, and the survival of the herd is the over-riding factor for them. They are not particularly careful with their personal fate. Thus the horrible injuries and, even fatalities, from ill considered behavior. Their responses, over time, proved to help the herd survive. That's why I find it so profoundly wonderful that they will get past that and meet us on our terms, with our completely alien languaging, and have a name. I know they know each other as herd mates is a natural setting, but that's not the same thing. Our sounds, non-equine sounds, get to be understood and meaningful to them. They are magnificent creatures!