Our challenge this month is simple, light and upbeat. Simply support the sport by encouraging someone to begin or expand their riding education. You may not have a opportunity to fulfill this challenge in the next 30 days but we can try to be more aware. Anytime you are well positioned to help a fellow or potential future horsemen find a foot hold, seize the moment.
Many horsemen already do this naturally, but sharing horses might feel like stepping out of the comfort zone for others. It really does matter that we all help make horses accessible to as many people as possible.
“Why?”, you may ask.
Ours is a dying artform. In many countries horses are only accessible to the privileged which is beginning to happen in many parts of the U.S. as well. Even to those to whom it is accessible, horseback riding is often misunderstood and undervalued as a sport. And what’s more is that horse-related activities as a whole are so much more than just a sport! Horses are used as service animals in real jobs even in modern times. Many varieties serve the mounted police units in crowd control situations and ceremonies. Mini-ponies’ long lives make them excellent as service animals for disabled individuals. And all sorts of horses act as therapy animals to veterans and those with physical and mental handicaps. Horses even still serve jobs as for farm work and daily transportation in some communities.
One more glorious fact
Horse activities are one of the only sports a person can actively participate in for their entire life. As children horses can teach us about kindness, communication, honesty, tenacity, and work ethic, to name just a few. As adults they remind us to remain humble and present in the moment. They can provide friendship, partnership and inspire healing in ways that only God can completely understand. In short, our world needs more horsemen!
Ok enough sappy stuff. How can we all help?
Though we cannot make riding accessible to absolutely everyone, we can all help share our passion with someone in some small way. If your horse is safe and gentle you might consider giving your neighbor’s kid pony rides a few times. Or you could take a stack of business cards from a trainer or lesson program you trust to share around. Even though we have horses I always appreciate it when someone gives my daughter an old hand-me-down Breyer horse, or an age-appropriate horsey book. You can’t over-inspire a child’s mind! Gift certificates for riding lessons at your local stable also make great gifts for kiddos.
If you are blessed with access to a truck and trailer you may consider offering a pickup to another horse and rider to join your outing. Or just buddy up with someone who’s a bit nervous to go for a quiet trail ride… Whatever the case may be, share it!
To take a different perspective on this, remember also that more horse people in the world means more horses who are cared for and valued. If we really want to help horses in unfortunate circumstances on large scale, we actually want to build up more knowledgeable horse people to help do all the barn work.
Horses are blessings which draw us closer to ourselves and closer to our Creator. Want to make the world a better place? Share horses!
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