The Equestrian
When I was in grammar school I rode my imaginary horse to school. When I arrived I tied him to an imaginary hitching post outside. In high school, I travelled on three buses to the end of the bus line then walked 2 miles to a riding stable to help with the horses in hopes of riding one of them at the end of the day. I have met women that grew up in the country and as children would sneak under fences and climb up on any horse they saw and ride until they fell off.
Now as adults we work long hard hours at jobs that drain us and we give our money to stables to board our horses and to trainers for a 45 minute lesson two times(more if you’re lucky) a week. Why do we do this? All for the love of a horse.
We joke and say we have a “horse gene” in us but whatever it is it keeps us going. We leave our designer clothes behind and dress in jeans or riding breeches and T shirts or sweatshirts that have seen better days and certainly smelled sweeter. But to us, one step into the barn and the tensions of the day leave us.
Once in the barn, our real job begins. We curry and brush our horses, pick their feet, clean and comb their manes and tails until they are spotless. After they are saddled and bridled off into the arena we go.
In our lessons we must maneuver a 1000 pound animal to do exactly what we ask of him. The circles we make must be perfect, he must trot on cue and we must post on the correct diagonal. The canter must start on the correct lead and of course all of this must be done while your horse is ‘on the bit’. When your 45 minute lesson is over both you and your horse are dripping wet. This means an extra 20 minutes of walking around the arena to cool off your horse. When this is done it’s back to his stall for more cooling off and care.
In the stall the cooler goes on your horse and the fussing starts all over again. You clean his feet again, rub him down with towels, and brush him out again. This time, while you are grooming him you are praising him, telling him how wonderful he is and of course giving him treats.
By the time your horse is cooled off and all your tack is put away you ask; “Why do I do all this?” The answer comes when you say your last good bye for the evening. You put your arms around his neck and he cradles his head into your chest and nickers while you kiss him. And that’s why you do this…all for the love of a horse.
