What has your horse taught you?

noblesteed

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2 years ago today I bought Mr Rude (not his real name!), my 11 yr old connie x iberian gelding. It was one of the most exciting days of my life, as I had never owned before, only loaned, and I had dreamed of owning a horse for 25 years. I have been reflecting on the impact he has had on my life, and what we have achieved together, and also NOT achieved! It has been very challenging as he hasn't been an easy horse. He has taught me SO much about horses, people and myself, and I thought it would be interesting to see what experiences others have had.
So here goes -
Never give up in something you believe in, but acknowledge when you need help.
Celebrate every achievement no matter how small.
Don't dwell on things that go wrong (very difficult!!!)
Nobody's horse is perfect, WHATEVER they tell you.
Some horses are just hard work while others aren't so difficult.
Your horse will NOT always do what you ask it even if you tell it several times.
Don't measure your own achievements by other people's.
You can't learn everything from a book.
Fear can be very debilitating.
If you don't face your fear head-on you won't conquer it.
People don't always tell you the truth, and may seem like they mean well but don't always. Choose friends wisely.
People can be incredibly kind.
Those who say the least generally know the most. Listen to them.
Trust your gut instinct upon meeting someone as it is generally correct.
Injuries generally heal in time.
Working owners do not have the same amount of time to spend with horses as those that don't work, so don't compare yourself to them.
Keep your mind open to new learning.
Most of your friends and family think you are mad!!!!

Patience, determination, self-belief, fear, humility, how to ride effectively.
My fiance tells me my horse and me are so similar in character, and that we were made for each other. This is despite me wanting to sell the horse at least once every 2 months.

SO how about you guys? What have you learned from your horse????
 
If it helps my little Andalusian has taught me exactly everything in your post over the past three years!

It's also all about the journey, apparently :rolleyes:

I would add that true help can come from unlikely places so you have to keep your mind open.
 
That cows DO eat horses - he hasn't proved it yet but has no intention of sticking around long enough to be proved wrong.
That Bluebells DO eat horses - as above.
That golfers DEFINITELY eat horses.
That upside down tents, children with watering cans, giant strawbales and gardeners should all be treated with extreme caution.

But that trains, double decker buses and kids on trampolines playing the recorder are all harmless (unless they are blocking the escape route from cows, bluebells, golfers etc etc).

Basically, never to relax!

And that I am capable of more than i thought and my instincts are worth trusting. I have backed and am bringing on a happy, bright, intelligent and very sensitive little horse. When he has had baby wobbles and other people have told me I should resort to smacking or force I have trusted myself to do things kindly and he is the most lovely horse to deal with and ride (assuming that none of the aforementioned things are bearing down on him!) and we have a great bond.

oh, and that when you lose your two best friends (pony and dog last year), there is still room to love someone else.
 
That I bruise easily ;)

:D :D :D This!

And also horses have taught me-
I'm not as patient as I'd like to think.
Sometimes you have to admit defeat.
Books can't teach you everything, but they can teach you quite a lot.
That I never want to be on a livery yard ever again.
Horses are like mirrors and generally reflect back what you give them.
To think before I act (still rubbish at this).
 
Hmmm lets see, he's taught me to be greatful for the simple things in owning/riding a horse, those little things can be very satifising and give you more sense of acheivement than any rosette or winning anything, if anything it makes you realise that those things are really not that important anymore.
 
Jim
- that I can go without sleep for 48hours & still (just) function. It's amazing what fear & coffee can get me through! Also that no matter how much I cry there's still more tears to shed.
- that sometimes discretion is the better part of valour but also that I can be braver than I thought
- that less is often more when riding
- that some horses really are the horse of a lifetime
- that love & patience are a perfectly good substitute for ability
- kisses matter!

Little Un
- that things really can be as straightforward as they seem
- that it's very satisfying to see someone thoroughly enjoying your horse & him enjoyimg them
- that diets are doomed to fail
 
mine has taught me that once you're over 30 it hurts a heck of a lot more when you somersault over their heads and land on your backside!!

oh and that it's never a good idea to take your hormones into the field with you when your mare has enough of her own and is more than willing to share hers:p!
 
The 3 horses that I have owned have taught me that they bring as much heart ache as they do pleasure :(.

I'm really not sure I'll ever have another horse again. My first horse I owned for 15 years and for 13 of those, he only saw a vet for routine things. The 2 I have had since have both proved challenging when it comes to vets. Nothing is ever, bloody simple.
 
Lucy has taught me so much over the last 12 years. She had no trust in humans when i first got her and would try to kill anyone who went near her.
She taught me that with a little patiance and alot of persaverance anything is possable as i managed to gain her trust. Lucy has taught me what true love is. I had a hard childhood in many ways and she was the only person i had to talk to she was there for me like i was there for her at the begining. We are a team and i can't imagen life without her.
 
Patience and empty pockets, heartbreak, tears and many happy hours, endless mucking out stables, paddocks, backbreaking collecting and storing hay(just the 2 of us). But couldn't live with out them in my life:D:D:D:D:D
 
Harry has taught me how to fly (for a short distance). D*MN that pony's got some brakes.

He has also taught me the true meaning of the word FEAR. NEVER underestimate the power of a pony.

Lastly he has taught me what is truly important in (his) life. FOOD :D
 
That Unlike Everyone Else At My Field, I Have The Guts To Get Back On Dandy When I Take A Tumble ;)

And That Id Happily Get On The Loopy Horses, But HATE Getting On The Big Bombproof, Docile Old Softie :p
 
Patience and empty pockets, heartbreak, tears and many happy hours, endless mucking out stables, paddocks, backbreaking collecting and storing hay(just the 2 of us). But couldn't live with out them in my life:D:D:D:D:D

Summed up so well, dito this.
I have had my mare 18yrs in July and I have been through an awful lot with her, high's and lows, how to relax, how to get stressed, how to pretend to be confident and in charge when I am not! There are probably so many things that I simply cannot quantify here, but she has brought me much insight and taught me more than I am sure I will ever know/realise :)

Also not to give up hope
 
Keep positive even when things are going a bit wrong... they will come right in the end.
He puts as much trust in me as I put into him.
Don't get complacent or switch off as that's when things start to go pear shaped.
Rhythm is everything when jumping.
Nothing happens overnight, things take time.
If you ask him to do something and it's not working, you're not asking properly.
If all else fails, kick on and shut your eyes!!
 
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