Do you remember the feeling of arriving at a yard for your first ever riding lesson? The excited energy and nervous bubbles rising in your belly? Do you remember getting on and riding independently for the first time? Feeling tall and brave as you got into the saddle and walked alone without a lead. Do you remember why you started riding in the first place?
MY JOURNEY
My first encounter with horses was on my grandfather’s farm. Although I was only knee-heigh at the time, I remember that sweet, dusty smell of the barn like it was yesterday. This inexplicable, uniquely horsey smell should come with a warning label – ‘addiction is instant and long-lasting’.
After what felt like eons in the confines of my house and garden, returning to the yard after lockdown felt like the ultimate freedom. The familiar sights, sounds and smells were food for my soul. Entering the stable yard, with the horses unchanged and unfazed by the fear and upheaval we as humans have felt, was incredibly soothing. As I sat in the yard on the first morning we could return to our horses, I pondered the changes in our world and lives. I particularly considered what lockdown has meant for horse owners and riders. The upheaval caused to trainers, coaches, show venues, etc., has been immense and, yet, I wonder if it has also given us time to reflect on what our horses really mean to us.
THE EFFECTS OF LOCKDOWN
Denne historien er fra August/September 2020-utgaven av HQ magazine.
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Denne historien er fra August/September 2020-utgaven av HQ magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Science Behind Tapering
The science behind tapering
Horse Treats
The ultimate guide
Horsey Hair Care
Tips and tricks for a healthy mane and tail
Horsey Hydration- The Importance Of Water In Winter
The importance of water in winter
A Horseback Safari
Abelana Game Reserve
The Psychology Of Riding Performance
Intrinsic motivation, part 7
10 Best Life Lessons From Horses
Life lessons from our horses
Breaking New Ground
The evolution of the Callaho Online Auction
Horse Psychology 101
Part 3: The horse's cognitive abilities
Colic Part 1
An owner’s worst nightmare