I have been riding other people’s horses lately. One is Anakin, a big grey Thoroughbred ex-racehorse, a showjumper. Big and bold. Not the sort of horse I usually ride but my friend Helen convinces me he’s safe. ‘He’s my favourite trail horse,’ she whispers to me out of earshot of her horse Cruiser. Officially Anakin is leased by Helen’s daughter as a showjumper, but Helen likes to take him out on the trail.
Horses are such magnificent animals, and the bonds that they establish with their riders (and vice-versa) are amazing.
Having spent some time with horses when I was younger (a story in itself), I saw to it that our city-based children spent as much time as we could afford (in $$$ and real-time) around horses as they grew up, whether that be a beautiful (and now sadly developed) suburban stable or dedicated horse camp in the hills near Strathalbyn, SA.
The confidence and joy that they exuded after their ride times was maintained even as they de-tacked the horses and cleaned up after them. And the images I have seen of our children on the trail rides - trotting at best, but usually walking - show the joy that they felt. And I suspect that the horses felt too.
And now you know why Anakin is my "favourite" horse to ride!!
Horses are such magnificent animals, and the bonds that they establish with their riders (and vice-versa) are amazing.
Having spent some time with horses when I was younger (a story in itself), I saw to it that our city-based children spent as much time as we could afford (in $$$ and real-time) around horses as they grew up, whether that be a beautiful (and now sadly developed) suburban stable or dedicated horse camp in the hills near Strathalbyn, SA.
The confidence and joy that they exuded after their ride times was maintained even as they de-tacked the horses and cleaned up after them. And the images I have seen of our children on the trail rides - trotting at best, but usually walking - show the joy that they felt. And I suspect that the horses felt too.
Thankyou for sharing your horses with us.