I'm curious...what's the BEST thing about being a horse owner?

C

Cerries

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Hi everyone!

We recently welcomed our new boy into our family on Saturday, so we're right at the start of our horse ownership journey.

I'm curious - what's the BEST thing about owning your horse? What especially makes you smile? What little things just make it all worthwhile for you?

So looking forward to hearing your answers!

C xo
 
Just being with them! Especially in a nice clean stable, all rugged up, with the horse contentedly munching hay. Its very peaceful.
 
The way he always manages to find me no matter where I am on the yard if I look at his field he is always looking at me and that he comes galloping down to me the min I'm near the gate. Best thing by far though was me getting to sit/ride him for the first time on Saturday after owning him for 2 years, bought him at 18 months and I left him to be a baby and then started his education in June :)
 
what really makes me laugh more than anything else.
When im leading my old boy with a carrot sticking out of my pocket that ive genuinely forgotten about, all of a sudden you get the swipe and the crunch.
i love it when that happens!
 
I love riding him, but literally nothing compares to racing him to the gate of the field. On my way to his field, I shout him and he starts off at a steady walk. Then I tell him to hurry up and start running and he starts a mad gallop to the gate. Makes me smile literally every time :)
 
That bond- and having shared numerous times over the years, knowing that no one will suddenly change their mind or sell the horse so they won't be whipped away from you.
My horse calls back to me when I whistle and call for her. Unless the grass is super good and she's too full to move she will always walk to meet me. Sometimes she comes running whinnying at the top of her lungs.. ir makes me so happy.
She's beautiful and proving talented so I've also enjoyed some lovely compliments of late.
It's so nice to be able to read a horse like the back of your hand. To know them so well you can interpret a look or tilt of an ear. To be soo confident in what you're riding that you know what reaction you're gonna get in almost any situation. I've owned my horse for nearly six years and never had a partnership like it. I'd never go back to sharing. We own.each other and I love it!! Xx
 
That indescribable feeling of contentment that you feel when you've got your horse in on a wet mucky evening, and they're all tucked up on a nice warm bed....

Or there's that feeling of being soooo incredibly safe on a sure-footed native pony who can feel her way through rising floodwater which is up to her knees and carries you through it all, in the looming darkness, as safe as houses....

Or that little whicker you get when they see you coming with a nice juicy apple; and they don't do that with anyone else, only YOU....

Totally unsurpassed.
 
My old boy just looked at me with those "hug me" eyes today across the field. His contented face when getting his scratch in his favourite place.

My mare cantering across the open forest whinnying for me when I went searching for her.

Just the smell of them, the warmth of their fur and companionship of the special bond you share.
 
When you realise that you have compete faith and trust in your horse, and that it is reciprocated by them. I would feel so proud when my boy would wait for my cue before he decided what to do in a scary or exciting situation.

With my new boy I already love his expression when I talk to him in the stable, he stops munching and raises his eyebrows-makes it look like he is listening intently lol
 
Watching them being horses playing in the field having fun, today mine and my liveries all had a great time charging about, bucking, setting each other off and generally showing off, they had half an eye on me most of the time but knew I would not intervene and try and stop their antics, they are all living out at the moment and obviously feeling very well.

I do like to see them tucked up for the night in a deep bed, munching hay in the middle of winter when I do late checks and sometimes sneaking them a treat if I have something in my pocket, the liveries get treated the same as mine so no one gets left out.
 
Knowing my old gentleman so well, trusting his every move, realising he trusts mine too, his smell, his beautiful eyes, knowing (and hoping there's some way of him knowing too) that he'll be safe with me until the end of his days. I love the dear old soul.
 
Ahhhhhhhh I've LOVED reading all of these! So heart-warming!

We've only had Robyn since Saturday, but already he's given me so much joy <3
 
That they are always pleased to see you. After a difficult day/ week/ month they are always welcoming of a kiss and snuggle.
I'm sure my gelding knows when I'm upset. He will stand over you while your mucking out and ignore his hay/ feed and just nuzzle your shoulder instead.
Couldn't replace the bond of a horse
 
My ponies have brought me solace in hard times, love in sad times, faith in unsettling times and pure joy in good times. They are my life and soul
 
I was going to write all sorts of stuff about seeing them progress and feeling the changes you make to how they move ...... then I realised that I have two minis just because they make me smile and that I'll still have horses when I can't ride.

So I have to say the best thing about them is ........ them.

I'm convinced it's some kind of addiction in a lot of us. I just would not want to live without horses in my life.
 
Oh, this thread is making me feel all warm and fuzzy :)
A few of my favourite things are:
When you can feel your horse under you trying their very hardest for you, using their back end to push into that medium trot, sitting on their bum in preparation for a big jump, finding a second wind as you gallop up the last hill of a cross country course...

When my mare hears me opening the gate to the yard in the morning and I say "Good morning ponies" and none of them whinny apart from her. She is always pleased to see me, even if it is only because she knows I'm going to turn her out :P

When it's her day off (especially now we're getting to colder months) and the yard is quiet as I get there a little later due to my college hours. I love just giving her a good thorough groom, putting her snuggly PJ's on and doing her stable bandages.

She is the light of my life-can you tell I'm a bit of a geek?!
 
ycbm sums it up perfectly for me.

The thought of not having horses in my life makes me feel anxious. They're my escape from the stress of everyday (even though, ironically, they are sometimes the cause of my stress!).
 
Crosshill Pacers said:
ycbm sums it up perfectly for me.

The thought of not having horses in my life makes me feel anxious. They're my escape from the stress of everyday (even though, ironically, they are sometimes the cause of my stress!).
Click to expand...

Ain't that the paradox!?!?

Currently sitting in the SiL's house stressing about why the nine o'clock trip into the barn hasn't happened this morning. They were in there at two this morning though, so stress levels under control atm.
 
The bond and the trust we have in each other. Knowing that she knows I would never, ever do anything to put her in danger and therefore she will do what I ask willingly.

And nothing on this earth beats that feeling of a good gallop with your best friend, or when you're out hacking, just the two of you, and you get to the top of a hill and you just stand there together taking in the view.

My favorite thing of all is just sitting with Esme. I make sure I make time regularly to sit in her field with her and she always comes over and stands with me. So peaceful and such a lovely feeling. :)
 
ycbm said:
I was going to write all sorts of stuff about seeing them progress and feeling the changes you make to how they move ...... then I realised that I have two minis just because they make me smile and that I'll still have horses when I can't ride.

So I have to say the best thing about them is ........ them.

I'm convinced it's some kind of addiction in a lot of us. I just would not want to live without horses in my life.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I am completely, utterly addicted. I cannot imagine a horse-free life.
 
Going to catch and when I hold the headcollar out she pops her nose in herself - I always think she must want to come with me more than anything else at that particular moment in time. We're just getting to know each other, but that's my favourite thing.
 
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