When Betty Reed said the sentence the sentence "Come out and ride, we love to share our horses", I had no idea that would be the sentence that changed my life. Over the years that I have been a horse owner I have shared my horses with many people including Julie, Kaiya, Tanner, Emma and many more.
I feel like I have been given a gift and it is part of my life's purpose to share that gift with those who are not as fortunate as me. So, if I can't compel you to share your with warm fuzzies, here are 5 other reason (Ok, some are warm fuzzy related) to share your horses.
1. You will be safer. When you have to explain to other people the basics of being around a horse (avoid the kick zone, let them smell you, etc), you get better about those habits yourself (instead of being lazy-admit it, you do dumb stuff because you trust your horse).
2. You will be a better rider. If you are not used to teaching or explaining, trust me, it will make you better in the saddle to explain it while on the ground. Whether I am talking about looking up, heels down, ice cream cones, sitting back it is just another reminder to me to ride better.
3. You will learn a lot about your horse. I spent almost a year watching my horses being ridden without getting in the saddle. I learned a lot about how my horses behave and how they move. I noticed where hands got the best performance and how much leg pressure was too much.
4. You will remember the joy. With chores, board bills, vet bills, fence repairs, stall cleaning and the dozens of other chores and items that tax your time and your checking account, watching a person ride who has never had the opportunity can give you great joy. When you see that first joy of riding, you will try to forget about the 'rough' days and try hard to emulate that joy of a first time rider.
5. You will be a better person. We were taught to share when we were younger, but as you age that good habit often dims. Sharing your horses is a way of sharing your life. It helps others peek into your soul and see what defines you. As you share with the world, your vision for your life grows. The more you share the more of a reality it becomes.
I shared my horses recently with someone. She told me that she has always loved horses but thought that door was closed to her. The day I shared my horse, her lifelong dream came true. How could I not continue to share?
6 comments:
I couldn't agree more. I've taken every friend and family member I can drag along down to the barn to see the horses, and that was before I owned one! The place and the animals give me such joy I feel obligated to share it. And as I learn, I pass that knowledge onto others. Very well put.
Thanks for sharing Precious with me Jerri. You brought me back to what I love, I just needed to be reminded:-)
I totally agree with you. I think sharing my horses with others brings me as much joy as owning them. That's why I belong to the AHA Discovery Farms program and their mentor program. It's part of how I give back to something I have gained so much from.
this is a truly wonderful post!
*blush* I am glad you all like this post. :) It means a lot to me to be able to share.
Lol, I actually bought myself a second horse just so that I could share horseback riding with my friends! But you're so right about learning more about your horse when you study it in someone else's hands. One of my mares is very cooperative and takes on the rider's mood. When she's with me, we're always in the front (and I'm not pushing!) but when she has an inexperienced rider, she's in no hurry whatsoever.
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