sad but true I didn't have the chance to learn to ride till 12 years ago I don't know what I would do without my horses Can't imagine life without them
I think there is a difference with someone having a passion for horses as opposed to an obsession. An obsession can turn into a passion or fade away. A passion is there with you for life. Whether you like it or not!
I think this is a very accurate list. The only thing that I could think of to add, would be the fear factor. It seems like plenty of riders, especially those over the middle-age hump, get into a riding accident, or just fear that they will, and if they can't push through it, it dissuades them from involvement with horses. I think having a degree of fearlessness and confidence, though not recklessness of course, can be important to have in order to hang in. For me the biggest issues are everything except 1 and 2 on the list, and they are enough to prevent me from horse involvement completely. I do trust that one or several will change in the near future however, and as long as I have 1 and 2 in my favor, there is hope. Though it would be awesome to be one of those kids who was riding since they were four...
i am one of the lucky kids who rode before 2. i didnt own a horse an tell age 8. i am now 12 and still the same horse crazy kid. (exept bigger LOL) my friends (14-17) say things like "yah i used to be horse crazy it just kind of wares off." then they smile and say" by the time your 13 and 14 youll not care as much"/ wanna bet? my 13th birthday is in a week. hahahahaha
I've also been riding since I was 8 or 9 and now am 61 years old. A few years ago I had a stroke and laid in a hospital bed for a month. I had just finished training a 3 yr. old colt and started riding him and figured that was all done and I was finished riding. To make a long story short, I decided I had to recover and try it again. 6 yrs. later, I am leasing a horse and riding once a week. Just couldn't cut something I loved so much out of my life. Once my left leg could get to the stirrup, I was up. It's been a gift to saddle up and head out to the trails and woods near the boarding stable.