Horses: Why do you love 'em?

[Chickerdoodle13]

I'm missing my horses big time and I want to know why do you love these big (and sometimes goofy!) animals?

I love 'em because they are always there when you need a shoulder to lean on or someone to cry to. There have been many a nights where I've talked the ears off my horses and I always come out feeling better! I may look crazy, but at least they don't interrupt me!

 

[chickens on grass]

I love the smell of my mare. And the way she thinks that when the farrier is trying to get her feet to trim them she thinks that she can hide behind me. 1200 lbs behind 120 lbs.

 

[Kelly G]

You know, I've never really been able to articulate WHY I love horses. Every attempt sounds lame and so inadequate. I wish I could explain it to people so they could understand. Horses are just a part of who I am.

Now, I love my Siggy because he is tolerant and forgiving of both my age and my fear of meeting the ground at my age! It's not as soft as it once was - anyone over 40 will tell you that it's true!

I love him for his sunny, happy dispostion. He meets each day with ears up and a whinny...even if he's already been fed!

I love him for cool days and warm bareback rides.

I love how he loves his blanket! He even turns to watch me buckle him up and doesn't move until all is fastened.

I love him for taking a nap over my shoulder while I read a book in my chair under a tree. He was great company and only woke up when I closed my book.

I love him for being willing to teach my beginner riding students - and for being wlling to do the same thing over and over again. Bless him for this!

I love him for the times he comes up behind me and just puts his nose in the small of my back. Why does he do this?? He seems to be just saying, "Hey! Just letting you know I'm right here." As if I could miss his 1,000 pound self!

I love him for representing my return to horse ownership. I missed it so much - my heart ached for a horse more than I realized. He filled a bottomless void.

I love the arch to his neck when his head is set. I loved this from the first day I saw him! He looks like a great big seahorse.

I could go on and on...thanks for the outlet!

 

[chixie]

I love them because they represent freedom to me and the way I wish life could be carefree. I love watching them when they are running and playing with out a care in the world

 

[Skyesrocket]

I'm not even sure it is a word...but in a word normalcy! When everything is changing so fast in the world and with war and all of the crazy things we are bombarded with our horses don't know anything about current events! I think that we, as a people, are damaged by what we see everyday and might not even realize it. Our horses don't know anything about this. They know when they are hungry, and when they are likely to get a treat. They know it feels good when we brush them. They are one thing in our lives that is constant and unchanging. They bring us back to earth.
I read somewhere that on 9/11 that many horse people went out to their barns and pastures and hung out with their horses when it seemed like our world was falling apart. Being with the horses was a break from all of the news coverage and our family and friends all talking about being attacked. The horses didn't have a clue about all of that and it was a welcome break. It was our way to get back to being normal.
Another thing being around horses does is to bring our minds back to what is happening in the present. When we are riding or working around the horses we have to be aware of what is going on around us right now. It's relaxing for the mind to be in the present. Not projecting ahead to when the bills are due or when we have to have surgery or whatever. And not looking back on a mistake we wished we didn't make, but can't change now anyway. We have to be aware of where we are and what we are doing at the time we are doing it. Horse people understand what I mean by this.

 

[SarahFair]

I feel like they can look through my soul..
They are part of me

 

[joedie]

Quote:
Perfectly said! It's hard to articulate just like why I love my DH. I just do and feel comfortable around them, very relaxed, love the smells and atmosphere of a barn. Right now, my grandson is allowing his QH gelding to be used for a friend whose 25 yo son was in an accident 2 yrs ago and had a brain injury. He's been in physical therapy for 2 yrs and the Doc kept requesting therapeutic riding for him to help speed up the walking process but she couldn't find anyplace that would take him at 230 lbs. So he rides this QH once a week for 30 mins. The laughter and smile on his face is priceless! It's the only activity that he has to look forward to and even his speech has improved because he likes to tell everyone about it. We got his PT who used to be involved in hippotherapy to come to his sessions. I don't know what else could cause such delight and happiness for this young man. They can improve not only the physical disability, but the mind and spirit. It's nothing short of amazing and I look forward to his sesion each week. Maybe it's the feeling of freedom this young man feels when he's up there!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Quote:
I feel the same way. It's just something in my blood, something I can't live without, there really aren't any words adequate enough to explain it.

Same thing about northern Michigan for me. People keep asking why I don't move to NC or TX like so many others have, but I just can't. I need horses just like I need white pines and birch trees! Preferably riding on one, on a trail through the others

 

[CherokeeCowgirl]

They are just part of my soul like mentioned. Being one with a horse is a great experience. When you two are just in sync and can communicate freely. I love it! My husband always tells me that I "live and breathe horses".