We've yet to discuss the significance of the horses in this book, though there is probably some mention of them on almost every page. Its obvious that they are more than work animals or a form of transportation. For many of the characters, especially Ned, they are a measure of a man's worth, and at times, seem to be more important than money.There are countless times in the book where people are jailed or fined over offenses related to horses, or are unable to carry on their livelihoods with out a horse. When discussing the herd that Tom Lloyd was assembling, Ned notes that "it were them horses that slowly brung [him] back to life God has made no other creature so beautiful there is no feeling to equal the surging of a good horse galloping across the plains (181)." It is important to mention that this is the point in the story in which he was hell-bent on finding Wild Wright and fighting him. In this instance, the horses serve as a type of therapeutic relief from the stress of his daily life.
Many of the good memories that Ned speaks of involve horses. There are many times in the book where he talks about his mother and makes a note about how wonderful riding skills. On page 180, we see that he also uses horses as a way of bonding with her. He describes how they like to talk about horse breeds and their bloodlines. Ned also has a relationship with Harry Power's horse Daylight that is comparable to one that he would have with a sibling. On pages 133-135, he reminisces about his travels with the horse, and the prank that Daylight had played on him by running away the night before. He describes the horses actions in such vivid detail that one might think him a person instead of an animal. It seems that in Ned's world, horses are just as important as people.
Morgan, I think that you bring up a really essential part of the story that we have not even tapped into. If looked at in a close manner, as you said, there is a horse in almost every scene or even in the most important events that have been occurring. With Ned, I agree that the horses represent more than a form of transportation, they represent social status and class. And I believe that social status is a battle that Ned forever fights in this novel. From a young child, he is placed with the shame of his father (riding a horse in a dress), and this is the point that begins his fight in trying to represent his family in the best light. I know this got off the subject of horses just a bit; however, I still think they would hold a particular significance in Ned's personal battle. Because horses hold status in the community, when interactions (like Ned returning the runaway horse) occur with horses, it seems almost as people assume the worst like "they are trying to steal the horse" because of their worth and the fact that they mean that a family has significant monetary worth.
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