On the living horse : the Fargo Equine Hospital and Education Center

Abstract

Horses and humans have been connected throughout history, and each has impacted the other so much that neither species’ history would be the same if the other had not existed. There are countless stories of horse-human pairs – from Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus to Roy Rogers and Trigger – and each one illustrates the unique relationship that exists between humans and equines. Horses, while no longer an integral part of human life, continue to influence us, and this is evident in how we perceive and treat the animal.

My thesis project is a 17,000 square foot equine veterinary hospital and learning center in Fargo, North Dakota which is intended to help make the connection between humans and horses clearer by using hands-on experience. The philosopher Hans-Georg Gadamer described health as a kind of equilibrium, and said that healthcare should be a balancing act between art and science. That act is played out in the building as students, professionals, and enthusiasts learn more about the art and science of horse care.