This attraction between girls and horses: What is it?
Long ago I gave up
Making even the slightest effort to explain it.
But Nina starting riding lessons has brought it all back.
Maybe it’s bossing around this creature
That’s vastly bigger than you are,
And slightly dangerous.
Finally losing your fear.
Maybe it’s the element of speed,
Flying through the air at a gallop!
The satisfaction of learning to post,
And not bouncing any more.
Gaining strength and balance
To where you can post with no stirrups,
Your legs so strong and trained
That you’re still in perfect position.
The thrill of riding bareback,
Depending on balance,
Feeling the horse’s every ripple of muscle,
And nothing between you and the horse.
Maybe it’s the travel aspect:
Having your own person car before you’re old enough to drive!
Horses can take you around the ring, on trails,
To the beach, around town, around the country!
Maybe it’s the love of animals,
Learning all about horses and their care.
Their different breeds, anatomy, temperaments,
Feeding, grooming, and health.
The personal mastery of
The fine points of equitation,
The lingo and standards of showing
Of being able to learn a course of jumps and compete.
The literature component of horse stories,
Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, The Red Pony and My Friend Flicka
Brighty of the Grand Canyon and Misty of Chincoteague.
It’s a whole world.
The glamour of saddlebreds, racing and polo,
The lore of cowboys, round-ups and rodeos
The life-in-the-balance of hunters, cavalry and mounted police,
The exoticness of Arabian horses, Peruvian Pasos and English Clydesdales.
The dream of owning that favorite horse,
Loving and working for each other,
Having a stable in the back yard,
And a pony cart for visitors.
Daria Doering 
Leave a Reply