A lot of people argue that horses don't have feelings, or emotions, or personality. But I know with confidence that every horse has all those things, and more.
I'm not saying that every one thinks that way. In fact, I know plenty of horse owners who believe that horses are there own person in every way. But there are enough people who don't, and even if you do, it's easy to take for granted.
A horse's personality deserves to be respected and nourished, and the hardest place to do that is on his or her back. I don't live on a ranch; I only get to see my horse once a week for a couple hours, so of course I'm going to dedicate that time to riding and training. But even then, I try my best to spend time just with her. Just enjoying a few moments alone, with my horse, loving on her, showing her how much I really care. How much more time do those of you who live on land, who see your horse everyday, who have the time and opportunity, have to do the same? It's almost like in a team sport, if the players never had the chance to get to know and understand each other. How well would they work together? Not very, and much less would it be enjoyable.
Some horses have more difficult personalities than others. One of my grandpa's horses, Zipper, never really lost his stallion attitude even now, sixteen years after his gelding. For an inexperienced or uncaring rider, he can be a difficult and irritating mount. But when you take the time to really understand him, get to know him, he's as lovable as any other of the sweetest horses out there: He's stubborn, big headed, more of a tough love horse- and you can't help but love him. Even Muffin, my mount every week, was frustrating and hard headed, and it took me almost a year to really understand her sensitivity, how the bit and spurs drove her to fight against their pressure. Now, I ride her with no spurs, no bit, sometimes even no bridle, and she's a dream.
There are some days, before or after I've ridden, that I rather would have just stayed at the barn, left my horse in her pen, and just stayed with her, been with her, loved on her. And yet their are other days where I wished I could've ridden for another three hours straight. So don't take those opportunities for granted. Don't let them slip away, because that understanding, that statement your giving to your horse by showing that you really care about them and who they are- that's what builds a lasting bond.
A horse is just a horse, and each one is different.
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