Tameness for Dummies

Tameness is a word that describes the quality of being gentle, calm, and submissive in animals, particularly in domesticated ones like dogs, cats, or even horses. When an animal is considered tame, it means that it has been trained or raised to behave well around humans. Just like how a friendly and well-behaved dog can be considered tame, a wild animal that has been tamed can also exhibit these qualities.

Let me share an analogy to help you understand tameness a bit better. Imagine a horse that has lived in the wild, running free and independent. It has never encountered any human interaction, so it simply acts on its own instincts. This horse is what we would call wild, untamed or not tame.

Now, imagine a different scenario. The same horse has been captured by humans and placed in a stable. Over time, the horse is trained to follow commands and gets used to human presence. It starts behaving in a calm manner, allowing people to touch it, ride on its back, and do various activities around it without getting agitated or aggressive. This horse has now become tame.

So, to summarize, tameness refers to the state or quality of an animal, whether domesticated or wild, that behaves gently and submissively towards humans. It is about an animal's ability to adapt to our presence, following commands or accepting our companionship without showing aggression or fear.