Why Horses?
Jane, over at The Literary Horse, has asked this age old question of her readers and wants some feedback. I think that many of us involved with our equine friends get this question, oh, a few hundred times or so in our lives. And Jane has nailed it: you don’t love horses in the same way that you love football or chocolate. Putting into words the nature of the feeling and involvement is next to impossible. It comes from a place that transcends words. If you are truly a horse person, no description is necessary to explain why the best Saturday mornings entail rising at dawn so you can experience the waking of the world from a horse’s back. But for those of you that are NOT horse people and have either been afraid to ask or have gotten an unsatisfactory answer, here you go. With the benefit of an extended amount of time to contemplate and create some poetic verbage: Why horses?
Because they don’t talk back, yet you’ll often find an ear cocked in your direction as you speak
Because they accept what is and never look back
Because you can view your soul through a horse’s eyes
Because there is no high like the one you feel when you have just perfected an intricate maneuver on horseback
Because of the strength and flexibility the body has as a result of riding
Because it feels powerful to charge through the woods at a gallop, ducking branches and feeling the wind whip around you
Because of the partnership and trust that is shared between a horse and rider
Because nothing soothes the edges of a rough day like a warm, hay scented breath blown on your cheek
Because they are so powerful and yet so fragile
Because equestrian friendships transcend age, religion, and sexuality. The language of the horse is enough to sustain a lasting bond
Because horses are the best teachers and if you listen there is always something new to learn
But mostly, because horses are in my soul. They have been from the day I was born, long before I ever laid a hand upon one. If you have ever been lucky enough to experience that feeling with anything, then you might understand. There are just some things you can’t explain, and trying to rein them into words diminishes the greatness.
So I’m with Jane. Why horses? Because I like them.
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Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen - October 21, 2009 at 11:22 am
That is beautiful Michelle.
michelle - October 21, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Thanks, Jenn. I appreciate you taking the time to visit while you’re up in the Great White North!
Jane - October 21, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Beautiful! Exactly.
Thanks so much for sharing this.
I’m late, but I will put the link up on Why Horses Wednesday today!
Jane
michelle - October 21, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Thanks, Jane! This was a great idea – I love to talk about how much I enjoy my horse addiction!
Arlene - October 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm
That was so beautiful – and poetic. Gave me goose bumps. Your pictures are just fabulous and arty.
michelle - October 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I’m glad you enjoyed it Arlene! It actually took me a long time to select those photos. Like I said, nothing quite conveyed my feelings the way I wanted.
Jenna Marie - October 21, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Wow that was so perfectly said! It made me choked up because every word of it is true
michelle - October 21, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Thanks Jenna! Welcome, and thanks for commenting!
oneredhorse - October 21, 2009 at 7:51 pm
“because horses are in my soul. They have been from the day I was born . . . ”
Exactly! When I am with my horses, I am exactly where I belong. I often wonder how some folks ended up the “the horse gene” – a hard wired membership in the horse tribe.
michelle - October 21, 2009 at 10:13 pm
I swear it’s true about the horse gene! One of these days they’ll find it. After all, I didn’t even come from a horsey family. We are the first ones to ever become involved with them, so how do you explain me copying the “horse” section from the encyclopedia at age 6? Gotta be born with it!
Paint Girl - October 21, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Love this!! It is all so true! I believe that once a horse lover, always a horse lover! It is nearly impossible to not have a horse in my life!
michelle - October 22, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Thanks, Paint Girl! And I totally agree with you. I never understood the few that got out of horse ownership and never looked back. Like you, I can never see myself willingly without horses.
juliette - October 22, 2009 at 11:17 pm
All I think about all day long is horses. I can’t stop thinking about riding. Just yesterday I told Brian that I am SERIOUSLY considering getting a horse to ride back and forth from our house to our barn to turnout, groom, and ride Pie and Sovey! They are just too frail probably for walking 3 miles every day, but a stocky boy might just be the answer if it isn’t too hard (cruel) to the horse. Then, maybe, I would feel like the continual longing to ride is fulfilled. It is that or else moving into the stall! Sometimes I think I am going crazy, but then I read all the horsey blogs and I know you all feel it too!
michelle - October 23, 2009 at 7:42 am
You are so funny, Juliette! Where will your new addition reside – in your game room? LOL!!! You should do it, the more horses the merrier in my book! And you could always move into the stalls, it’s much more practical if you ask me! Everything you need is right there.
And while you’re at it, we should all take a lesson from Paint Girl and get a job working with horses. Maybe THEN the urge will be satisfied!
Laughing Orca Ranch - October 22, 2009 at 11:47 pm
Oh! So simple and yet so very complex.
Even after what I’ve been through and all the pain and suffering and the feelings as if my dreams have been dashed, I still can’t get horses out of my heart. Even though my heart races with fear every time I stand close to my own horse, my heart is also filled with fascination and even love. I’m like a moth being drawn to a flame.
I do love horses.
~Lisa
michelle - October 23, 2009 at 8:12 am
I’m sorry to hear that you have had some bad experiences, but isn’t it amazing that you still have the love? There is just something about horses that you can’t get out of your blood once they’re in. I hope that over time you are able to overcome some of your anxiety and truly enjoy them again.
Katie - October 27, 2009 at 11:43 am
I just found your blog and I love it. I need to show this article to my husband…maybe it will help him understand! lol
michelle - October 27, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Thanks, Katie and welcome! Nice to see new faces around these parts. Good luck getting hubby to understand the horse gene – I have long since resigned myself to being the “crazy horse girl!”
Jenn - November 2, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I love this post because it is SO TRUE!
This is particularly true: “Because equestrian friendships transcend age, religion, and sexuality. The language of the horse is enough to sustain a lasting bond.”
All of my long-term, close friendships are because of the shared love of horses.
It’s the love of horses that make you build your life around them and you are wealthier because of it, even when your checking account tells you otherwise!
michelle - November 3, 2009 at 11:06 pm
You are absolutely right, Jenn – those friendships definitely ease the sting of an empty wallet each month! I do love the fact that I can have true, honest friendships with people that are so different to me in many ways. Or even people that you only see a few times a year at shows, that horse connection is really a strong bond. Even amongst bloggers there is a sort of kinship and acceptance, even if you’ve never met. I love that about being a horsewoman!
Kerry - December 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm
amen
michelle - December 7, 2009 at 8:27 am
Thanks for visiting, Kerry! Glad you enjoyed!