For me, horses are mandatory…
My first horse was Ellie May, a Shetland pony. My parents had big horses out in the pasture, but at only six years old, I needed something smaller. Whenever I was bored or sitting around, my mother would say, “Go out and ride your horse.” Since we lived in the country without any other kids around, Ellie May became my friend, even though she was very stubborn. Sometimes she refused to go and would only stand still. So I amused myself by standing up in the saddle and trying out different tricks on her.
When I got bigger my parents got another horse for me, named Cindy. Cindy was a very different creature. She loved to go fast and when we were headed back to the barn, she often bucked out of excitement. My good friend, Myra Lee, kept her horse in our pasture too. Myra Lee and I spent lots of hours on horseback tromping around, and talking, out in the fields.
When I was 15, my family moved into a neighborhood in town and we left all of our animals behind (except for the dog and cat). This was a big change and it was hard. I struggled throughout the remainder of my teen years. I lost interest in many things that I had once enjoyed. Life felt hard and I was often unhappy.
I didn’t get to be around horses again until I was in my 40’s! I finally decided that being around horses was no longer optional — it was mandatory!
For several years I rode other people’s horses, and then when I was 52, I finally got my own horse again. It was like finding a part of myself that had been left behind so long ago. Some of us really need to connect with animals, and horses are a special connection because they are so big and extremely present. Animals are honest, direct, and aware of many details. Horses pay attention to everything and can teach people to be so much more aware of our own behaviors, attitudes, and emotions. I am very lucky and happy to have horses in my life again. I want to share this great horse adventure with as many teen girls as I can!