Significance of horses

Horses are symbol for Xavier that allows him to keep in contact with the earth. This is first seen in when Xavier is on the training grounds in Ontario. He wakes up extra early to go take care of the horses and clean their stalls even when he is never given the specific order to do so. He does this because it allows him to be closer to a component of nature and it reminds him of his closeness to the land. Xavier also uses the horses as a connection to the land when he is aboard the ship that is taking his company to Europe.