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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 823
 
Location: East Texas | I am also on a youth sports forum and someone posted the topic of what are you most proud of about your sons . It showed that no one mentioned sports or accomplishments, but what kind of people they are. It made me think of youth rodeo and how stressed out so many get.... This is not a post saying we never get stressed and worked up. Just a reminder to myself if no one else to keep things in perspective.
The pic is a little out of focus, but you can see the smile on her face. This pic is her getting ready to make a run in MS last weekend, and smiling and talking with some of the girls she met while we were there. I think many of us, especially those of us that have youth riders, get caught up in every thing that goes with racing and rodeos that we lose site of the fact this should be fun. If it is not, why do it? So enjoy the ride and I hope everyone has a great week.
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| This is very true and a great topic. Just had this conversation with a friend last week. She was stressing majorly about keeping her horse in training and the bottom like she just couldn't afford it continuously. Her daughter is super capable and so she will be moving him to a barn without a trainer for a few months while they recover financially and then every few months he will go back to the expensive place and get some training for a month or two. I had to remind her why we own horses/ride horses.
I am sure my gelding maybe could have been better with another rider or program but he does well for me and we have fun!!! That's what matters most!  |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
 
Location: Somewhere around here | I ride because I love it! It's my get away, my me time, my goals and hopes and dreams, and it's what kept me sane when I lived with an abusive parent. I will never not have horses, but I don't know if I'll always barrel race. I do it because it's fun and when it turns out to not be fun I know I need to take a step back and relax. I don't know if my two girls will want to be competitive when they're older but if they do I'll try to keep it in their mind that this is a sport but so much more. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | The same reason I eat, sleep, breath, just cant live without them, they are just second nature to me.. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 460
| Agree with the others...great topic! And mine is pretty much the same answer, haha. I ride because it's the only thing that I thoroughly enjoy. As they say, a bad day of riding is better than a good day at work! It is such a release, and just enough work and responsibility involved to detox your body. I never feel judged by my horses, it's my safe haven. |
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3310
Location: Jersey Girl | I ride because its the only thing that keeps my soul happy! I haven't barrel raced in 2 and 1/2 years, I look forward to it but am already getting nervous thinking about entering again. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I too try to remind myself that it is supposed to be fun. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| I ride to be a mentor to my daughter. Last night I was lunging my gelding and my 5 yr old comes out and asks if she can help. So i gave her a lesson on lunging and we were both smiling the whole time. It was so peaceful, watching her learn, the sunset going down, nothing around us but hearing my horse trot. I ride because I know its a dying sport and we are lucky to have that option in our lives. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | I came out of the womb obsessed with horses. I guess it's in how some of us are wired. There is nothing like the feeling of riding a horse. Being totally engaged, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Just being at the barn; the smell, the sounds. The beauty of horses. That thrill you get just thinking about them. As I've gotten older, riding allows me to block out the stress of everyday life and chronic pain I live with 24/7.
We are so lucky to have a passion like this. It's healthy for our body and mind, you can do it at any age, it never gets boring. You can always improve. You get to bond with another living creature on an unmatched level. I feel bad for people that don't have a passion. There are so many! They have nothing that gets them up in the morning and makes them feel alive. They go to work, they take care of their family, they might have a hobby they enjoy once in a while, but there's no passion! I could never live like that. We horse lovers really are a lucky bunch. |
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 Expert
Posts: 5290
| Actually I do it because thats all I have ever known.. Have been on a horse training and roping/running cans since before birth actually. weekly I question why I do it, my life would be so much less stressful, I would have a LOT more money. lol I get try and get out of horses almost monthly. My horses would sell for lots of money with one phone call, truck trailer, same. lol But for some reason I just can't . Everyone tells me how miserable I would be. lol I do feel trapped and forced into it sometimes. Its like its what I am supposed to do.. SO for now I will trudge on ! :) |
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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | I too was always a horse crazy girl, but my family wasn't in a position where I could own a horse until I was 14. I drew horses, as a young child I had pretend horses, just loved them. Finally, I got one when I was 14 and have been 100% addicted ever since!
So now I ride to keep my sanity. In the winter I go almost nuts and have cabin fever so bad I can't stand it! But I have my main mount that is there no matter what, is the same the no matter what, and if I just need a break she's my go to. I love my other horse too, but she's the one that's always been there, through everything. I can go out there, and forget my troubles and stresses for a while.
Now barrel racing, I think its plum fun! I used to get so nervous before a run, but as soon as I started having fun, I can't quit. I want to get better, and I haven't gotten as good as I can yet, so it is still a challenge and I love it! There is nothing more awesome than me and my horse working together, and each horse is a little different to run and its great working with each. |
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 Ms Bling Bling Sleeze Kitty
Posts: 20904
Location: LouLouVille, OK | I have always loved horses... so when I got the chance, I bought one, and the rest is history... learned alot from the school of hard knocks... lol but IDK what I would do with out them  |
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Veteran
Posts: 155
| I ride because I like to challenge myself. I love teaching a horse to move its body parts, do fluid transitions, to trust me, and be a willing partner! It's also great physical and mental therapy! |
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 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | I ride so that my little girl knows that strong women still exist. That we smile and we keep riding. That when we fall off, get bucked off, or drug off, we always get back on.
We speak to others with grace and kindness just like we do or horses.
We respect each and every creature and person we come across because that's how we get respect and kindness in return.
I ride to show her that no matter what happens to us, no matter the obstacle, no matter the cost, we are always worth it. We are always worth spending time on just ourselves.
No matter what that time may be.
No classroom on earth can teach that to my child, but my horse and my riding might.  |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
Location: Dearing, GA | I ride because I have never felt closer to God than when I am on the back of a horse- no church, no cathedral, no worship space has ever allowed me to freely communicate with God like I can when I am around my horses. Thats truly what has kept me hooked for almost 20 years now. |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4553
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | it is my freedom, companion,compassion,my soul, my addiction and keeps me grounded. without them (horse) I would be lost. |
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 Balance Beam and more...
Posts: 11493
Location: 31 lengths farms | I ride because I truly am never more at peace with who or what I am than when I'm horseback. As a kid growing up we had a large family, dad was in the military and rarely around and when he was he couldn't leave the drill instructor in him behind so things were pretty tense. My pony was my freedom, my counselor, and a safe port in a sometimes stormy sea. They still are, my fiance refers to my horses as my Pony Prozac. Life just looks better viewed from a saddle and in between two ears. |
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Duct Tape Bikini Girl
Posts: 2554
| Although no one in my family had ever owned a horse, I was born wanting one. My mother bought me a pony when I was 6, and I've never looked back. Because my mother was a County Extension Agent, she had some contacts that educated us along our way. I've competed in all areas, but barrel racing is my favorite form of competition.
Horses have been my friends and family throughout my life. |
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 Quarter Horse HIstorian
Posts: 2878
Location: Aubrey, Texas | I answered this same question a few years ago and I'm happy to say that my answer is still the same: I ride because I can't NOT ride. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| I have been on a horse since I was 2 just loved them always connected, my daughter who has literally been on a horse since before she was born has that connection as well and it has been amazing watching her learn and grown. She is amazing and a better horse person than I am . I hope I am part of the reason she is so eager to learn and believe in these amazing animals. I have rode out of love, rode because I had to there were times when it became a job and although I loved them it was tough and in the last year I have become passionate about my horses again. I went through a very tough time where life just didn't seem worth it and it was a chore to make it through my day but then last year a horse who I had trained for 4 yrs saved me. She woke me up made me believe and gave me all the hope in the world. I get pretty sappy over her. Here is her picture because I love her, don't mind me flying out of the saddle she has tremdous drop on 2nd and sometimes I don't keep up.
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