Think about it. Everywhere you go you seem to see animals. Whether you're at the local park or taking a tour in the zoo, some creature happens across your path. Lots of people own animals, big or small. When you meet people and ask them what their favorite animals are, you will get a variety of different answers. But there are only two types of 'animal people' in the world, the animal lovers or the people who just can't stand 'em. I happen to be one of the 'animal lovers'.
When I was younger, I used to love any type of animal. However, if you asked me what animal was my favorite I would say "a dog". After a while, though, I began to change my answer to something like "well, maybe a dog, but I really like horses, too". Yes, I loved horses. Of course, I couldn't take lessons because I was allergic to horses. I would break out in minor hives all over my body if I came in contact with any horse hair, dander, and essentially, any horse at all. After we moved to CA, my sister started taking horseback riding lessons (these lasted only about 3-6 months as we moved to a different house). I was basically heartbroken with sadness. I had come that close. But still, I was not even allowed to touch a horse, let alone ride one.
When I was about nine years old (we were still in CA), I had a blood test to see, once and for all, if I was truly allergic to horses. Hoping and praying, I rolled up my sleeve and surrendered to the needle. :) The tests came back indicating that I was only slightly allergic to horses.
After that, I began taking lessons. I absolutely loved every moment I got with the lesson horses. When I had my first grooming lesson (this was at a different barn than my sister had taken lessons at before), I remember smiling and throwing my mother triumphant looks. I wanted to prove how much I loved horses and that I wasn't going to get hives. I know that it is impossible, but I would have willed myself not to break out in hives if I could have. I didn't care that I came home grimy, dusty, and horse smelly. I cleaned out my trainer's horse stalls while my sister was taking lessons. Now that I look back on that work, I know that it was for the better since I now have to clean out two stalls daily! Anyhow, I loved those lessons! After about a year or so, I moved up a level and took more advanced hunter/jumper lessons from a different trainer for about a year. Then, of course, we moved back to OH. Since then we have found several wonderful trainers who have helped me excel in my horsemanship skills and I now own a bay Quarter horse gelding.
Even if they are separated somewhere along the way, true horse lovers will treasure their horse experience forever.
Recently, I got to participate in the Warren County Fair. My 'project' was to read part of a book on horses and record my horses' feed & tack costs. Fair lasted one week. I competed (on my horse) everyday except for novice day since I was in the junior events.
Well, I know who I can thank for my horse experience! God for providing the animals and my mother and father for paying for them! :)
"And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer."
-Revelation 6:2
~Lily
