This Horse Life

People often wonder why little girls dream of horses. From the first Christmas list that has a pony at the top and a wide assortment of horsey items, parents ask why. Why not a fish, a puppy, a kitten, or a fancy outfit. Sometimes they think that a hat and pair of "cowgirl boots" will be suffice, but that just seems to intensify the need. Non-horse people can't understand why a horse-person will be at the barn when it's hot, cold, raining, snowing, late, of during important events. And why for pete's sake would you rather go riding then shopping?! Horses can be dangerous, they can bite, they can kick, they can buck, and sometimes they can do all three at once, but they can also teach you. It's been quoted, " I have often been asked why do I like horses so much. Look into one's eyes. There you will see generations of horses who have served the humans for thousands of years faithfully for nothing in return. Beaten horses, starved hoses, horses who no longer possess a spirit. They deserve to be loved and respected as much as humanly possible. Let them run free again. Let them no longer be a faithful beasts, but embrace them as you would a dear friend, for that is what they are."  A horse can open up a child that is shy and timid, they can reach into the very soul of a broken person. That is why we put in the hours, the months, and years of the cold, the hot, the bad weather, more work then riding time, some bad horses, some good horses, and those special once in a life time horses that rock your whole world. So when your child asks, "Can I please have a pony?" Even if you have to say no, try to get them involved in some type of lessons. You will see a change and growth in them that you never could have imagined before. They will learn a responsibility and have something completely dependent on them that they can form a partnership with. Until next time, I'll be at this horse life! Happy Trails!