What is your favourite thing about having a horse?

Yes, to all the above basically, my non-horsey friends often used to ask why I chose to organise my entire life around my mare as they, of course, being non-horsey couldn't get it and in doing so would confirm the sentiment printed on my old tee shirt - "The more people I meet, the more I love my horse."

And as others have mentioned, it's not only the thrilling rides but just to be near one - such a privilege.

Oh, has anyone else acquired a fetish for the smell of chestnuts? Whenever "her indoors" complained about horsey scents about my person - I'd say that while Channel No5 did a lot for her neck - a quick niff of my mare's chestnuts could bring me back from the dead! Haha.
 
When it's just me and my horse, somewhere new and wild and high, and all we have is a map and a compass to guide us. When I say to him "Shall we?" and off we go with the wind watering our eyes. It's truly joyful.
 
That moment when you call their names in the pitch dark, and hear four answering whinnies followed by the thunder of hoofbeats.

The times when one of them spots you before you can shout and calls, and the other three quickly follow suit.

How you know which horse has answered just by the sound of their neighing, because each of them sounds as different to your ears as human voices do.

When they come and stand with their lips against your cheek and very gently groom your face, or put their noses next to yours and breathe you in whilst doing that funny, fluttery nostril thing.

The times when they've had their daily carrot and ear scratch, and they know there's no food left, but they still choose to stand with you.

How Flower gives perfect 'kisses' and will do it over and over again, like a toddler with a favourite game.

When all four of them line up in a row along the fence line waiting, and I look at them and want to pinch myself because I can't believe how lucky I am.

When Flower and Mary come one to either side and rest their heads on your shoulders so that you can wrap you arms around their necks and give them a double cuddle.

The times when Tudor clowns around just because something he did once made you laugh, and he remembers and adds it to his repertoire of self-taught tricks.

That look that Sixpence gives me sometimes - the one that only old horses can manage - which makes it seem like he's the wisest soul I've ever come across.

I could go on, but I think you all understand it already: it's the simple privilege of spending time with them.
 
So many of the things that are listed above, but in addition.....

They are all different and have their own characters.

They all teach me something new pretty much every day.

The fact that such enormous animals (and let's face it, an 11 hand Welshie could kill you if it wanted to), just accept us, says far more about them than it does us.

I often get asked by non horsey friends what it is about horses, but I've never been able to put my finger on it yet. Complete and utter obsession, I can't ever remember not loving them. xxx
 
Everything, but especially those moments that put a smile on your face for the rest of the day, and have the rest of the world wondering what you've been up to.
 
The nickers when she sees me, just hanging out in the field by her choice. The complete and utter lack of even caring about my appearance or mental health or social status. When she follows me of her own accord
 
The Good Morning neighh as i arrive and open the gate to the yard (he may do this to everyone but id like to think he knows its me)

When i sit in the field and his eyes watch me and he slowly creeps forward pretending his isn't interested and puts his head in my knees.

When i scratch the sweet spot on his neck and he grooms me back.

That feeling when i dismount and he has tried his best and been a star.
 
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I'm afraid at this time of year I struggle to think of many!

I like seeing them out grazing on a summers evening. Or when we are back from a farm ride and the horses are untacked and tied to the wagon, looking tired but content, and we're enjoying a quick flask of coffee before we head home. It's days like that when I think that there's absolutely no other life style I would ever want.
 
My favourite thing is coming to a halt and sitting quietly in my saddle, somewhere lovely in the countryside on a beautiful day, seeing her head up high in front of me, ears pricked and eyes focusing on something interesting in the distance, knowing its just us and enjoying being completely in the moment, with my best friend. These special moments make me feel so lucky and grateful to share my life with horses.
 
Lollysmum said:
This is such a lovely thread, look how deeply our horses touch us, no wonder non horsey people don't get it!
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^ Totally agree, I am from a non-horsey family and none of them get it.

I grew up obsessed with the horses that were in the field next to my grandparents garden, I remember spending a lot of my time literally staring out the window and just watching them. 25 years later I now have my very own horse in the same field, for me that is my nostalgic childhood dream accomplished.

My favourite thing is creeping into the yard as quietly as I can so they don't hear the gate opening, shouting them down from the field and my crazy little mare always has to come charging down first, legs in the air as she does so and slides to a halt literally inches from you. And obviously just spending time together, me and her away from the world doing our thing.
 
My horse is very vocal so I always get a getting, she also replies when I talk to her, she loves being stoked & scratched & will groom me back.
I also enjoy just watching them hanging out in the field and sniffing her, she smells lovely!
 
For me it's just nice to have a friend (as sad as that sounds) and build up that bond with them. Granted I'm struggling with my new horse, but it's only been three months!
 
Building a trusting lifelong partnership with an animal that you really love and working towards goals or working through problems together to get to where you want to be.

Having that horse whinny at you when it sees you or walk towards you when you appear at the gate.

Finding out about all the little idiosyncrasies and behaviours that are both amusing and annoying and taking both in your stride.

And just looking forward to going and seeing your horse every night and never taking it for granted but simply being honoured that you are lucky enough to have one of God's beautiful creatures in your life.

Probably a bit sentimental but that's the honest truth!
 
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