For those of you that know me...even just a little bit, you know that I love horses. Always have, always will. When I was little, it was the appearance of the horse that drew my attention. Nobody will argue that the horse isn't a beautiful animal. I can't remember who said it but "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a human." The more I was around them the more I grew to appreciate the nature of the horse. I have worked with horses in a wide variety of places and from many difference disciplines. I started with English, and more specifically, Hunter/Jumpers. That was my whole world for 15-16 years, then I got a job at a standardbred barn. (Standarbred's are the once that race with the little cart behind them.) I grew to appreciate the standardbred for all it had to endure, it was a hard life with little to no reward for the horse, just run run run. Then I got a job in dressage barn, and grew to appreciate the finesse of the sport. I now work at a private boarding stable with a wide variety of horses and I also volunteer at an equine rescue center. The horses that come to us at the rescue are pretty much other peoples throw always. Horses that are past their prime, or have been injured and never reached their prime or horses that people just don't have the time for anymore. Every horse has something to teach you and only people who have been around lots of horses would understand this. Most people think a horse is a horse and that's that. The horses at the rescue have taught me more than any other group of horses.

There is Brock, Brock is a 32 year old saddlebred. He is old and swayback, his hips are sunked and his eyes are tired. He just lives day to day and takes everything as it is. He handles the other horses coming's and going like its old news. If one of the young'ns pinnes his ears and picks a fight he just walks away. Life to short to waste your time fighting.

There is Krisi, she's a feisty 3 year old thoroughbred. You can't make her do anything she doesn't want to do, you have to convince her. You have to do things her way, she has taught me that you catch more flies with honey. You have to find a common ground.

Tucker...Tucker will always have a special place in my heart. He taught me not to just to conclusions. Tucker was a year old standardbred, that hadn't started his under saddle training. Tucker was a jerk, he was pushy, nippy and obnoxious. Always in your space and didn't listen to anything you tried to teach him. I was the brave soul who agreed to be the first person on his back. I fully expected to hit the dirt when I got on him. He just stood there and flicked an ear back when I got on him the first time. He never once panicked or or got nervous. He just accepted what was happening and listened quietly, when I asked him to do something he said "ok, I'll try." Such a trooper!

Then there is Windy, Windy is the love of my life. Windy was a horse I used to do hunter/jumpers with years and years ago. She was always just that horse out in the field with the other horses, until one day there was a shortage of horses to ride in the lesson. My trainers told me I could try her, so I did. She was an ex-race horse that had an old injury that caused her to limp. I fell in love with her right from the start. Those other riders out there (you know who you are) will understand the bond I had with her. We just clicked, it was like she could read my mind and knew exactly what I wanted her to do and she always did what I wanted her to do. She wasn't the best, but she always tried her best for me and that's all I ever expected out of her. It never dawned on me once in the years I rode her that she couldn't do something. I think it was my faith in her that gave her the confidence to do anything. She was truly an amazing horse and I will miss her til the end of my days. Windy passed away a few years back from cancer and just writing about her brings tears to my eyes, but I'm glad that she is at peace now.

It always surprises me when a 1000lb horse does what 100lb me asked it to do, when they could just walk right over me if they wanted. They are surly the most amazing creature, and I thank them all for all they have to teach me about myself.