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Post by miranda on Nov 5, 2008 20:02:25 GMT -5
Horses have brought many of us through the toughest obstacles in life - whether it be a physical or emotional obstacle.
They are a true inspiration and have plenty to teach to anyone that is truly willing to try and understand.
Personally, all animals - but especially horses, have taught me things I wouldn't be able to learn from anyone or anything else, as well as have kept me strong.
Clinically, I was severely depressed for over 3 years as well as had an extreme case of anxiety. Sure, the medicine helped - but what truly healed me was being able to have that connection with horses. I honestly believe that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them, they inspired me and gave me that much hope! They changed my life.
I started this thread because I thought it'd be interesting to see how horses have affected or changed other people's lives. I understand that not everyone will be willing to share something too personal in their lives, but if you are comfortable with sharing, feel free.
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Post by Go and Play on Nov 7, 2008 7:15:33 GMT -5
This is a really nice topic, thanks for starting it. To be honest with you, my whole horse career has been about show show show, win win win. So horses were more of a pressure thing for me. My last mare and I didn't get along and due to some person stuff, we didn't show much and she was a huge disappointment to me, it wasn't her fault, i just set the bar too high. She's now with a pleasure rider, and she's happier. Since getting my stb BJ, things have changed. He makes me laugh, and I truly enjoy his company. I have never sat on his back (due to getting pregnant) and that's fine with me. I just like to brush him and watch the goofy things that he does. He's been a very healing force in my life at this point and if ever I feel i need some "equine therapy" he's always there for me. I haven't set a goal for him. If he wants to be a dressage horse, great, if not, who cares! He'll do what he loves, and whatever that is I'll do it with him. Big Dreams would laugh at me right now because she's been trying to get me to "just ride" for years, and BJ is the horse that got me there. Thanks BJ!
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Post by BigDreams on Nov 7, 2008 10:57:21 GMT -5
Agreed, thanks BJ! ha.
Horses have been a big part of my life for years. They gave me something to focus on and work towards, and it helped make the 'bad' things going on seem less important. Because of transportation, even when I've owned my own horses I'd only get to ride once a week. That was always the downfall of it and I found was more stress then it was a good thing. However the time I did get to spend with horses I always felt so carefree, so relaxed and peaceful. I used to love going out by myself and going for long gallops, they made me feel free, like nothing could hurt me. At the same time I'd be just as happy to come to a stop in the middle of a ride and just stay there in the middle of a field for awhile. Listen to my horse breath, listen to everything around me. Or go for a slow trail ride. Everything I did with horses I found to be a therapy of some sort. Barrel racing espcially...I always felt it helped me to get out my anger!
Right now King is on freelease. I've been to see him once in a couple of months, and haven't ridden since Spring. I miss riding so much. But at the same time I don't have to worry about bills, and getting out to the barn etc.. and I know soon, when I'm ready, my horse and others will be there for me again. And that is therapy in itself.
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mojo
Beginner
Mojo (AKA Moes Bo)
Posts: 67
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Post by mojo on Nov 7, 2008 13:15:30 GMT -5
Mojo was the catalyst to my divorce.
It was actually the best thing that ever happened to me. My Ex hated that I would spend time with horses (anything that wasn't directly related to him) but I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a horse of my very own when she was offered to me for free (and freinds had offered full free board as well)!!
Growing up I had ridden endurance, went to an equine college, and even worked for Ian Millar, but after I got married, horses were not part of my life.
Mojo gave me myself back. I am happier now than I have ever been in my adult life. I can't thank that horse enough!!
Actually, Mojo's story is being considered for a book that is to be published in 2009 "The Horse That Saved my life".
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midnightdream
Advanced
Horses leave hoofprints on our hearts
Posts: 446
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Post by midnightdream on Nov 7, 2008 22:29:37 GMT -5
Like you Miranda, I was depressed too but refused to take medications because I didn't want my family to know. I got really good at hiding it, although I think my mom had an idea but didn't say anything. Then I started riding and horses became the one thing I lived for. I craved my weekly lessons when I could be with a horse who I knew didn't judge me or think poorly of me because of how I was feeling. Then I got my own horse and it just helped tremendously, it did help heal me. I actually got my horse at the same time my grandfather was in the hospital dying. 3 days before Seth came home we were told he had a condition they couldn't operate on and it would only be a matter of days to weeks before he was gone. 5 days after Seth came home he died. I don't know if I would have gotten through the whole ordeal without having Seth to turn to. He would stand there for the longest time just letting me cry on his shoulder. And I swear the first time I rode him I saw my grandfather there watching us, to this day I swear he is still there everytime I ride keeping me safe and I know he would be happy to know I finally have my horse. He is also an amazing stress relief from work/School (nursing). When I have an upsetting day at work (Like being in peds and getting bad news about one of my kiddies) he is there to listen without judgement and offer me his unconditional love. Nothing makes me feel as good as when I get to spend some quiet time with seth, just grooming him and giving him cuddles and hugs. It always amazes me just how therapeutic horses are and how great for the soul they can be.
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 10, 2008 12:03:01 GMT -5
This is really long....
I have been a horse lover from the beginning.
My first memories were my mom taking me and my baby brother for walks to visit Big red the horse down the street. Siting on the back of my aunts Shetland pony and the pony running away with me and me falling off in the roses. I was two.
My family was very poor. At one point we were homeless, spending an entire summer living in tents in the woods. I recall arguing wiht a store clerk to get them to sell me a toy horse that had been damaged because they were going to throw him away, unwanted because he was not perfect. I took him home with me.
In school I would only do horse related assignments. In art class I would only draw, paint and sculpture horses. More than one art teacher fought with me on this as I had a talent for art.
When I was 13 I was finally given my first horse. By then my parents were divorced and I had a step father. The adults around me were deeply involved with drugs and alcohol. My horse was my escape and I spent many many hours out on him exploring the countryside.
Whiskey turned out to be a standardbred and so my love for this breed began.
Whiskey and I went to Equestrian collage. I experienced deep depression, suicidal thoughts and began to cut. But with the help of other students at the school I found something better and a way out. I found the joy and exhilaration of sitting on a fine cutting or reining horse. And I graduated at the top of my class.
My first job out of school was an Appaloosa training and breeding facility. Whiskey remained at the school teaching other students the fine art of sitting a big trot while I worked out my life.
The new job turned out to be not as I expected. I saw things that shocked me. How could people who claim to love horses do what these people did? Show horses were fat and well fed while other less important animals were starving. Negligence caused the deaths of several that would have lived had the owners heeded my warnings to call the vet sooner. A mare foundered because she was turned out to pasture when she had not been on pasture in years. Another died almost a year after aborting a beautiful foal. And a yearling died of a broken neck when he slipped and fell in an ice storm. My heart broke for these horses.
I met a man there. John was the light on a stormy day. It too k me some time to appreciate that as at first all I saw as a chubby guy who really could not sit a horse well. But he loved his horses. He bought one of our two-year-olds and I began to help him train it.
And thus I met the love of my life because of horses. I quit training and went to being just an average horse owner. Got married and was very happy. I brought Whiskey home and he became my Husbands horse while I rode his appy.
But 5 years later DH began to have painful attacks. Gall stones it turned out. He was hospitalized and died several months later from Pancreatitis, because of his gall bladder. He was only 35. I was 28.
I gave the appy away and move with my Whiskey to another state. Depression again took hold and I gained weight. A lot of it. I lost interest in horses, in life.
Slowly I crawled out of that awful darkness. My God helped me. My horse was there for me. I woke up. Began to loose weight and ride again. I was given the appy back and leased him out and I met Baby.
Just when Whiskey was at the end of his days and I thought I'd just give up horses altogether. I could not bond with the appy and I sold him to his leaser. But just before I was going to have Whiskey put down baby's owner came to me. Her leaser was backing out. She needed help. So as an aid to a friend I took over her lease....
and fell in love.
I bought Baby almost three years ago. She has healed me. I am training horses again. Not full time but on my own terms. No more show horses. I specialize in helping owners and their horses come together and become a unit, a team. I only work with owners with their horses. I rarely get on the horse myself. And rather than show horses I train the average back yard trail horse. Horses that are loved for more than just the ribbons and trophies they can win.
Along the way I also discovered natural hoof care and a fascination with hooves. And am now practicing in my area as a professional trimmer. Horses have been helping me pay the bills when times have gotten very tough. They have held me up through some of the darkest days of my life. They have remained steadfast loyal friends even when humans betrayed my trust.
Horses are my reason to get out of bed each morning. They take me away from the fears and depressions and they never ask for anything back except good food and shelter and love.
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Post by Go and Play on Nov 10, 2008 13:41:01 GMT -5
Wow, that brought tears to my eyes, thanks for that Shadow.
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 10, 2008 16:11:59 GMT -5
Whiskey was with me for 22 years. He was a good friend and I miss him. I posted his death on the schools guest book and have received emails from time to time from students who rode and remember him fondly. Here he is at age 32. He was put to sleep at age 36.
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Post by equestrian on Nov 10, 2008 18:44:24 GMT -5
It brought tears to my eyes too. He looked in pretty good shape for his age. A friend of mine's Standardbred Mare will be turning 31 this December. She is a pasture pet now because my friend now lives in T.O. and her Dad is looking after the mare. She is the first Standardbred that I rode. She was 6 when they adopted her from the track. She had a suspensory injury. I saw her this summer and she looks great and nickered at me. It was so good to see her again.
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Post by shadowfax on Nov 10, 2008 21:50:57 GMT -5
Whiskey was ridden until October 2004. He was 35 years old. Over that winter he went down hill very fast. I had him put to sleep in may 2005 at age 36. He was in fantastic shape.
I always recommend to older horse owners to ride their horses as long as they are able to. It keeps them young.
I am glad you enjoyed my story.
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Post by Grandiose on Nov 11, 2008 13:30:50 GMT -5
Lovely stories, I see a a commonality throughout them and that is horses will save your soul. Horses, to me, are spiritual. They give a feeling of strength and calm that I need after dealing with people all day. I'm in a job I hate and my horses are what keep me sane. It's funny though that Goose does not like to be hugged or fussed on. He makes me "buck up" whereas my other two boys let me sob on their necks and wallow in selfpity. There have been times at horse shows when I've felt incompetent when looking at the other competitors, but Goose is so steadfast and unflappable that he forces me to get a grip and just do my best. He always does his best and if we place poorly it's because I've screwed up, not him. My TB is the most sensitive, he will hang out with me if I'm crying and he loves to "touch" and stand close. What a ham. Someone else posted that their horse was a catalyst in their life. The Stb I had to put down was what ended my marriage too. I could not leave him where he was being abused and the cost of bringing him home was the final straw for my husband. He always thought I wasted "money" on the d*m horses. No, I wasted "time" on him. But all is well, even though I hate my job it pays the bills. I'm able to afford to feed and care for all three boys. I hope I'm never in the position of having to part from my horses, they're my life.
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Post by Morning Star Acres on Nov 11, 2008 16:07:02 GMT -5
Such great stories. I will post my soon.
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Post by miranda on Nov 14, 2008 1:21:27 GMT -5
Wow, thank you for sharing everyone. There's some very touching stories!
I just realized that I have this topic under "My Standardbreds" though. Heh - Feel free to move it, Mods!
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Post by Miss Cassy on Nov 17, 2008 17:53:45 GMT -5
Shadowfax, your story is so very touching and brought tears to my eyes also.
I too was saved by the horses when the human support in my life failed! I don't know how many hours I spent crying in my favorite horses box stall and got all the comfort, love and support I needed from him. To me, there is no life without horses...
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Post by johnfreeman on Jul 15, 2010 12:51:25 GMT -5
When I was young, horses affected my life in both good and bad ways. The good, which was the more important way, was that horses gave me a self confidence and sense of worth that I lacked before. They made me happy and that happiness was reflected in everything else I did and in my interactions with humans. I inherited my love for horses from my father, who was not very interested or supportive of much else, but when I was about 6, I fell in love with a bay pony and to my surprise - there was my Dad the next day, holding Sunshine's bridle in front of the house!
Now I'm in my second childhood ie. retired, and free of other responsibilities, I can spend as much time with my beautiful Standardbred, Zuckie, as I want.
Zuckie (aka Kendal Patrol) came to me through my volunteering for the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society. He's 15h3" and solid bay except for a little white on the hinds. I like to think of him as a perfect example of the modern retrained Standardbred. He has a very handsome head and excellent conformation, a great personality and is an excellent ride. He canters on both leads from a walk and, if I ask for it properly, gives me a collected canter that is so smooth I can sit it without effort. He likes to jump and he likes a good gallop, yet he is almost always calm and steady. Best of all, he's one of the most responsive horses I've ridden. I just have to think about where to turn and he does it, and he understands voice commands really well. As I'm sure you can tell, I just adore him. He makes me laugh, he gives me a lot of fun times, he keeps me happy.
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