Do you remember the horse that taught you so much? Maybe he belonged to a friend or neighbor, maybe he was a lesson horse at a barn you went to, or perhaps he was the first horse you ever owned. These horses, our equine trainers, played a unique role; they set the foundation for who we have become as horse-people.
They taught us the meaning of respect. They gently made us responsible for our actions. They even improved how we communicate. Through their generosity, these horses endured our clumsy pursuit of balance in the saddle, our requests of them that weren’t clear even to us and countless experiences that are on our ‘first’ list (my first canter, my first jump, my first show).
They showed us the joy of accomplishment and humbled us just when we needed it. They started us on a path to learning and our lives wouldn’t be the same without them.
Perhaps you are still enjoying your equine trainer, or maybe your education has surpassed their abilities. Maybe they have passed onto greener pastures, but you will always remember them for what they brought to your life and how they shaped who you are today. So this is an ode to those horses who have given us so much and asked for so little in return. Thank you for all you have done for us. We are forever in your debt.
