Someone out there will understand the pure joy and excitement in what I'm telling you - and if you do, I'm willing to bet you understand because you've felt it. You know what it's like to fall in love with a horse.
I've been out of the scene for 10 years. I've driven past multiple farm yards day after day. With every passing horse I'd yearn to have that connection again. It's almost painful... almost makes the heart ache. Don't believe me? Ask any serious rider or horse folk out there that has been forced to take a break and they'll tell you the same thing. It NEVER leaves you.
I had a series of stupid decisions with dire consequences. I've broken my shoulder, busted my pelvis and suffered significant damage to my knee. Would I do that again? Nope. Would I put my life or body in danger? Not a chance. I'm fully aware of what I did wrong, where I stopped listening to my instincts and when I started to get cocky and looked at a horse as a "challenge" rather than an animal to be respected. People riding snowmobiles, quads and ATV's also suffer accidents when they make stupid choices - probably moreso than a seasoned horseback rider. It's not about what you do - it's about the choices you make.
There is nothing that comes close to how I feel on the back of a horse, and I doubt anything ever will. To be on the back of a 1200 lb animal and in control is mind-blowing. To connect with an animal that is intellectual enough to evade you and strong enough to overpower you but respects you enough to look for you for guidance is dream worthy. My passion is Dressage, and for anyone unsure of what that is - it's like ballet on horseback. The horse's movements are so finely controlled it's like performing a perfectly sequenced dance routine. It takes years of work, and an inexplicable communication link with an animal. Take a look at the following video and you'll see what I mean:
So this brings me to tell you my news! We've purchased a wonderful mare named Abbey. She's an 8 year old warmblood mare - perfect for dressage! She's gorgeous, well-mannered and somehow I managed to stumble upon her ad with perfect timing. She's a doll and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to board her so close to home. There's a lot of people supporting and playing a role in this dream. I'm over the moon with excitement... I feel like someone needs to pinch me so I can be sure it's not a dream.
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When I look at the pictures from my horse years and I find the odd one of my mom is in, you can see a side of her you just can't find in other pictures. There's a true smile that stretches from ear to ear. While I know that horses were a source of stress for her, they were also an outlet that remained unmatched for the rest of her years. Her heart was in the horses. My heart is in the horses. We have connections and memories engrained in our mutual experineces, and I hope that I can share that with my kids.
I feel like my life is rounding out in all the ways to make it the most fulfilling experience possible. Horses are definitely part of my puzzle, and I'm thrilled to have it back.
P.S. If you don't get the title - here's a brief explanation. The height of a horse to the withers (large bony portion where the neck joins the back) is measured in hands. A hand is 4 inches in height. Abbey is over 16 hands in height... She's a big mare!
