"For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind" (James 3:7).
The above Bible verse tells us that people have always been able to tame all kinds of creatures. We might ask, How could men and women, so much smaller than an elephant, a bear, or a whale, ever persuade these and other wild animals to do their amazing tricks or even become friendly pets?
It can be done because it was God's purpose to have it this way. Man was God's highest creation, and it pleased Him to let man dominate over everything else, as the Bible tells us: "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth" (Gen. 1:2626And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26)). No animal ever showed fear or hatred toward humans until sin came into the world, but since then they are no longer naturally friendly, making much patience and skilled training necessary to teach them obedience.
Talking of pets, how would you like to have a horse sit on your lap, or have one or two of them make them selves at home in your living room? Well, that's just what is going on in many places today. However, these are not horses you can saddle for riding or use for farm work. They are what are known as "mini" horses and they look like living toys. Some are so small they could walk right under a race horse and not even bump their heads. Breeders who raise them have a rule that they cannot be called "mini" if they are more than 34 inches high (about the size of a big dog), and some are much smaller than that.
These little fellows should not be confused with Shetland ponies, which are much bigger. The "minis" are a friendly group all by themselves, and the Creator has allowed men to develop them over the years through what is known as a "breeding process." But the "minis" are true horses and come in the same variety of colors as their larger relatives.
They make wonderful pets and love to be around children, and will play actively with each other. But they are sometimes surprisingly bold, too, and if a full-sized horse seems to be intruding, "minis" will snort, toss their heads and perhaps stand on their hind feet in such a threatening way that the big horse is glad to get out of the way in a hurry.
These unusual little animals are really just for folks who can pay thousands of dollars for them, but most owners are friendly and happy to show their pets if you ask them nicely. Harnesses are often made to fit these little horses so they may take part in parades or animal shows, pulling a small cart or wagon, sometimes with a small child riding in it.
Does God care about these "mini" horses? One of the Bible verses tells us that He certainly does: "In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:1010In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)).