I ride because I like - the exercise - to keep the connection between me and my horse - the bonding - the love for horses
I ride, because of the feelings I get when I get on my horses back, that we are one. Neither of us, can do what we do, without the other. She is my soul.
I ride because I love my horse. Not just horses in general (although I do), but because my horse makes the sun shine. For me, riding encompasses everything from bath time to sitting in his stall listening to hay rustle and jaw grinding to actual saddle time. "Riding" is just a metaphor - even if I never sat on his back again, we would always be riding. Moving through our lives together, one hoofbeat at a time.
I ride because there is something special about looking at the world from the back of a horse. It's something you can't find anywhere else. Some people love thrill rides or running marathons: I love horses.
having ridden most of my life for the fun, exhiliration, challenge, beauty of the horse, as I have grown older and faced the challenges of life I realized what was the most profound of my experiences with my horses: They ground me - not just physically but emotionally. They are real - they respond to my endeavors good and bad in a simple real way that makes me contemplate my methods, my thoughts, my challenges to communicate not only with my biomechanics but also with my soul, my inner joy for without the softness of the latter two the other endeavors aren't complete. My horses have taught me how to face life with a responsibility to do my very best for them in care and riding in a simplified do no harm, do my very best, NEVER refuse to ask for help and instruction. If I become confused or egocentric in my life - I walk to the barn and experience reality, love, and the simplicity that The Good Lord has entrusted me to do my best for these magnificent creatures. I feel if I use this "rule of thumb" in every aspect of my life I will be a better human being. Joy is a GIFT not an entitlement. My horses have shown me this every day.
I ride to forget the world! When I ride or taking my lessons, for that hour or so, the world does not exist, the job, family or anything. It is just me and my girl!
My name is Rebecca Stoler. I am 24 years old. I have been riding since the age of 4. My parents originally provided me with horseback riding lessons as a way to help me with my fine motor skills. I ride English saddle seat.
I think it starts out as something in the genes. It's why some kids are drawn to horses while others take thing apart to see how they work or draw or put on plays. And if you immerse yourself in the world of horses eventually it becomes such a part of you that you can't separate yourself from it. The barn is as much home as your house, the riding ring your battleground where you face your fears and challenge your limits, and the trails where you develop your independence. How do you isolate your identity from the countless early morning show starts, the hundreds of late summer nights lingering at the barn with friends, the thousands of times swinging a leg over a horse's back? Eventually it's not a matter of like or even love; it's just who you are.