My former neighbor once asked me if I was a horse rider or a horse keeper. I wondered for a moment on the difference. I'm guessing that a horse keeper keeps horses, but doesn't ride, and that a horse rider does both.
I used to ride A LOT!!! I was fit. My horse was fit. Every weekend, I was off to a local barrel race or on a trail ride. I paid a small fortune in entry fees and fuel, and spent hours in the saddle. Then my horse developed gate issues. When I started, I promised her that if it EVER got to the point that she wouldn't go in without use of a bat or whip, I would quit. I wouldn't make her do something that she obviously didn't want to do or that would fry what was left of her tiny Appy brain. I never wanted my horse to dislike seeing me coming at her with a halter.
So I quit barrel racing. I still occasionally ride out, but with all the houses going in where I used to ride, I have to haul somewhere. And I'm not comfortable hauling out somewhere and riding alone.
I would love to haul somewhere and play with cows or steers. Not do any cutting or sorting, maybe just run roping steers back or haze for the cutters. But I don't know anyone with cattle.
Then I started getting more rescue horses in. Most belonged to someone else. With them, came the chores - putting up hay, picking up manure, repairing fences, the works. Also, came less time to ride. As much as Mike would like to, he will never be able to ride a horse again. So I have mostly become a horse keeperer, and I'm ok with that.
I have always said that IF I had someone to ride with and IF I had an indoor arena, I would ride more. Maybe, maybe not. But I have to tell you, I really enjoy this horse.
Angel says "Can we go already? Or maybe, can I have a cookie?"
Every hoof print on the ground is mirrored on my heart.
