You finished moving into your new home and your horses have also settled into their new surroundings. You are taking a break from moving and just relaxing and watching your horses graze in the field. Just listening to them munching away is soothing. Many of you are probably asking “What’s so soothing about that?” Those of us that are “horse crazy” know the answer to that.
I’ve been passionate about horses ever since I can remember. My room was covered with horse pictures and I collected horsey stuff. My parents kept saying that I’ll grow out of it. Well, here I am over 30 years later and I still like horses. I even have owned several over the years, plus my kids grew up with them and I volunteer in different horse organizations. It doesn’t seem like I’ve grown out of it.
Whenever I feel down, or angry, I go and visit my horse. Grooming him, or just spending time with him, seems to cheer me up. I can also tell him my troubles and somehow, I get answers to my problems. Just think, a horse will never tell anybody your secrets. Believe me, my horse has a lot of them.
The horse has a very calming effect. This is one of the reasons why horses are used in therapy and in handicapped riding. In addition to that, horses also teach responsibility and respect. Nobody really wants to bully a 1200 lb. animal. Guess who will win? And the horse knows it, but will respect you if you do the same.
Horses love to please, but only if you ask of it, not force it. The horses that are treated this way end up being nice, well trained animals with good attitudes. If a horse is forced to do something, it will get very aggravated and can turn mean. When training horses, you must think like a horse and be one step ahead. This way you are considered the leader of the herd. (Horses have a pecking order in a herd and need a leader. If you don’t show them that you are the leader, they will walk all over you. Personally, I would not want that much weight walking all over me.)
Team work is what the horses will teach you. If you think of your horse as your partner, both of you will be able to work together. If you help your horse, in turn your horse will help you out. This is a great combination if you are competing. That’s why my son and his horse were so successful. They competed in Show Jumping and made it to the National Level because of team work.
Owning a horse also teaches you about finances. Yes, horse ownership is costly, but if you budget yourself and just purchase what you need, and not the bells and whistles, it is not as bad. Trust me. I had a horse and both my children had one, too, so I know first hand. No need to buy every gadget you see.
I enjoy just watching the horses buck, run and play in the field. Let me rephrase that, I like watching the horses do anything. They can be very funny at times and very peaceful other times. They show no worries and live for today and enjoy life. We should all take a lesson from them.