On March 30^th, 2010, I e-mailed sixty-some members of the Ohio Horseman’s Council …and nothing happened. I read that they have high ethical standards and I am respectfully impressed. As weeks pass, I assume the e-mail was ignored. Ordinarily, I would simply ignore them back, however I too have ethical standards and some situation awareness that moves me to act. That is why I have contacted this publication, Horseman’s Corral. A neighbor horseman suggested it to me. Here is the e-mail text:

Dear Ohio Horseman’s Council,

There are things happening I think you all should be aware of. You occurred to me because I read a FEMA document that was published in its draft form last month (February, 2010) that referred to “resilience” to disasters. Such resilience is also discussed in a book by James Howard Kunstler (called The Long Emergency), that includes a graph of the United States horse population. It showed the radical downward trend after WW I. The book discusses Peak Oil (the looming petroleum scarcity caused by inability to meet global oil demand) and when someone understands all the implications, as Richard Heinberg apparently does (he wrote a book called Peak Everything), our state’s horse population along with their owners and handlers suddenly become VERY IMPORTANT. (Please forward this to any “horse people” you know.)

In fact, I believe that over the next thirty years, as the Oil Age ends, “energy descent” (as the British call it) will very likely necessitate a “return of the horse.” I have ten acres in Greene County and am seriously thinking about getting a Trakehner or a Belgian for several reasons: I like to ride. I would like to be able to transport things and get heavy work done without petroleum—even if I do not live to experience “petrocollapse,” AND the technology and culture of horsemanship/horse-handling must be preserved and passed forward. In fact, I have spoken with a public health nurse who agrees that counties should start maintaining a “muster sheet” of useable animals. Cartwrights and harness-makers may very well be needed to teach apprentices over the next three generations. They should be interviewed and videotaped now. You and they are invited to participate in “the great re-skilling.”

In light of the fact that only one American in ten has heard of Peak Oil, let alone considered its implications… and considering that we probably experienced global peak
petroleum production in the spring or summer of 2008, I have taken it upon myself to speak to people about “the three Es” (energy, economy and environment), to read the
Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins (available free online as a PDF), join Transition Ohio and Transition US. I invite all “horse-people” to do the same. To get up to speed
quickly, watch these online videos or take these free online courses: http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_hopkins_transition_to_a_world_without_oil.html
http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse, http://postpeakliving.com/uncrash-course

I have spoken and met with county commissioners, planners and emergency preparedness people. I am writing articles. With Transition Ohio, I am working to raise
awareness and build resilience. I hope you will join us so that our grandchildren will be happy and productive with horses (as our grandparents were). I attach a copy of my "Dear Community-Minded People" letter that was published in last week’s Miamisburg News. It is in the creative commons. Yours truly, Leigh Waltz

Growth is over. Consumerism in the usual sense is now a threat to our remaining resources. The carrying capacity of Earth appears to have been reached. We stand at the brink and we have some very serious decisions to make and actions to take.

I understand that this is much new information. There is hardly room to include these important facts: James Schlesinger, (former Secretary of Energy, Secretary of Defense and Director of the CIA) said “we’re all peakists now,” (in 2007) referring to the fact that the debate about ‘is it really happening or is it not really happening” is OVER. I understand people need some time to process information but the sooner people act in the direction of reducing their carbon footprint, the better off the planet will be. Horses will help. The sooner people act in the direction of energy descent, the more likely our communities can function well into the future. Horses will help. The sooner people unite in efforts like “Four Years. Go.,” the brighter our future looks. The sooner we act according to our highest ideals, the earlier we actually bring our imaginations together to preserve our civilization. This is not politics, civics, religion or science. This is survival. Horses will help.

I envision a project activating riders and horses. Riders become aware of these issues and deliver awareness, on horseback, to every farm and village in Ohio. What awareness? The Age of Oil is ending and if petro-chemicals have been used to raise crops, and the supply of such chemicals will end, that soil will require 3 to 4 years to rehabilitate before it will produce much at all. Yes, I imagine hundreds of riders criss-crossing Ohio to ask farmers and their neighbors, “Have you learned about Transition Culture? Have you heard of Peak Oil? Are you ready to go organic? What do you know about vermiculture?” I shared my vision with Carolyne Stayton, the executive director of Transition US and she said that it is “a stunningly brilliant idea” that is imaginative, educational, important, inclusive and fun. Everything Transition should be. I would like the riders to be safe and carry the guidons/colors of Transition or any of the 4YG allied organizations. If I were wealthy, I’d create a contest and offer rewards.

My town’s local Rotary will listen to me talk about these issues tomorrow. Their ethics agree with those of 4YG, Transition and similar organizations. I hope to enlist their help in making regional rallies possible so that the riders build awareness that culminates in a number of forums, fairs and festivals of hope.

Leigh Alfred Waltz, (this is in the creative commons. please keep my name on it)

Miamisburg, Ohio

937 859 7123

Here's a guidon design: