Shade and Wisdom: Mares Who Teach Us How to Live Through Summer
Over several days, I’ve had the privilege of observing a small group of Anglo-Arabian mares grazing freely alongside their foals in a wide open pasture. At first glance, the scene appears idyllic: tall grass, a gentle breeze, and large trees scattered across the field like islands of shade. But what’s truly fascinating is not the landscape itself, but the natural behavior of these mares—their instinct to protect their young from the intense summer sun and heat.
In the early hours of the day, the mares move across the pasture freely, searching for the best forage. But as the sun climbs and the heat intensifies, something shifts. Without any human guidance, they head toward the coolest, most sheltered spots. They always choose the densest trees, where the shade is deep and the ground still holds some moisture. There, they pause to graze calmly. At their side, the foals seek shelter not only beneath the trees but often directly under their mothers’ bodies, instinctively knowing they are safest there.
It’s deeply moving to watch how these mares are constantly aware of their foals. Not a single movement escapes their notice. If a foal strays even a few meters, the mare follows it with her gaze—and, if needed, with her body. When the heat becomes too much, they do not hesitate to stop grazing or resting to guide their young back into the shade. That innate wisdom—the ability to lead and protect—speaks to a natural intelligence we often overlook.
The Anglo-Arabian breed is a remarkable blend of beauty and resilience. These horses, the result of crossing Arabians with Thoroughbreds, combine elegance and strength in equal measure. They are agile, graceful, highly sensitive, and remarkably adaptable. In this case, I’ve seen firsthand their hardiness: they endure both the cold of winter and the harshness of summer heat with admirable ease—so long as they’re allowed to respond to the environment in their own way.
Watching them in freedom reminds us that horses know what they need. They know when to seek shade, when to move, when to rest. And if we allow them the space and the conditions to be themselves, they reveal a kind of ancestral wisdom, a connection to the natural world that is both instinctive and astonishing. On days like these, when the sun beats down relentlessly, it’s the mares who show us how to endure—not with brute force, but with intelligence, patience, and care. A lesson we humans would do well to remember.
