Growing up in a sailing family in the north of Germany and really not getting the idea of always being wet and cold and in the wind ….. didn’t seem to be my thing.
Basically I started pestering my parents a lot. That I would like to learn how to ride .... well once I convinced them the rest is history. I wasn’t much home anymore mainly escaping on my bike to the delicious smell of horses , there soft noses and their gentle nature.
And all of a sudden life started making sense getting up early and working. Riding in all sorts of weather rain hail or shine. In the arena or on trails. Luckily we lived near a forest where I could go and ride for hours.
Riding my bike to the stables helped with balance, as often it was cold and my hands were much warmer inside my jacket pocket, out of the wind rain or snow. Naturally I learned to steer with my balance similar as with riding the more balanced your seat the more balanced your horse.
Years later when I had my first lease horse I rode him home into our backyard. And I found a picture being taken from the upstairs window from a safe distance. As my mum was a bit scared of horses.
While my sister came out with carrots �
Unfortunately, my parents didn’t quite understand the horse addiction. There were encouraging.... my mum was terrified of horses and when she came to watch lessons, she would go straight to the arena and avoid any stables, where horses might had their bum / hooves pointing her way. The front end was a bit better. Still I got reminded a lot that school and homework is important and occasionally I got an unscheduled pick up from the stables. Later on some advice on job choices. So I ended up in Asia as a quality controller in the garment industries. I loved the job and the traveling but horses where always in the back of my mind
The dream of being around horses and making them a part of my life is a decision that I made from my heart. (and a nudge from my husband to take the plunge! I think he had no idea in the beginning how big and adventures this journey will become), it just feels right, turning into work is a challenge for many reasons most of the time it doesn’t feel like work and a lot of the clients become your friend. Most horses become your friend, and it is very sad to see them move away. They offer so much for me, and once they feel the positive change of being in balance, they become proud and look forward to the next session, they always come first and the sport second.
Most horses give you everything without a second thought of their own well-being. You look into their faces, you can see they have facial expressions. They are curious and yes the first instinct is to run but the second is to come and investigate and be noisy and the safer they feel the more they are happy to hang around and learn.
Horses that are in balance and in harmony with their rider are a pleasure to watch. The horse starts to shine and dance with a sparkle in their eyes.
And they look after their rider as long as the rider looks after them it is a partnership.
Horses have the great ability to make everything better, they have an excellent way of communication without saying a word. They are incredible forgiving and don’t have agenda they are in the here and now. If you threat them with respect you have a friend for life. So they suit my no, nonsense attitude very well.
They unfortunately have one small disadvantage you can’t take them home ..... not yet. Working on it.
Therefore you need a dog so you have your dog at home to give you companionship.
Growing up in a sailing family in the north of Germany and not “getting” the idea of always being wet and cold and in the wind ….. didn’t seem to be my ‘thing’.
