Why Do We Ride?

[Ruffiane]

I'm curious if part of the reason that other people here ride is the exhiliration and triumph you feel when you've tried something new that you were afraid of, or handled a scary situation or made some kind of milestone in your riding.

Riding looks so easy to me when I watch other people, but for me it doesn't come easily all the time. I'm a nervous rider, and the more I do, such as the cantering and jumping, the more I sometimes have to bite down my fears.

The thrill of doing something though, that you never thought you'd do, is something that stays with me in every other aspect of my life. I'm kind of hoping that as I get to be a better rider, and more comfortable with my abilities, that new situations will just be a cool new challenge.

I guess I could just stay where I am in my riding and just get better at cantering, but while I'm nervous sometimes, I want to keep going and keep trying new things. There are nights when my trainer says to do something, or to jump "one more time" and I want to say "nope" but I don't. I do it, because I don't want to give in to my fears.

Is that part of it for others as well? I never had a pasttime or sport before that required courage in any way. Playing the piano, ballet and tennis aren't exactly high-risk sports! Maybe this is part of the attraction for anyone who does something that's risky.

[nirikina]

I'm not a nervous rider, even when my horse spooks or acts up, or when I'm jumping (which I'm not very good at). I don't think of it as dangerous but then I don't do cross-country for example. I ride because of the feeling of freedom and achievement. The rhythm of the horses hooves on the ground and the wind in my hair when we go fast. Like most pleasure riders my ultimate aim is not to jump higher or complete dressage tests, but to get to that place of oneness with the horse where you both understand and trust eachother and enjoy the places you can go together.

[amylou_84]

i am a nervous rider too. its just my nature. i look three times before crossing the road, i drive the speed limit and i caution my mum/dad/sister etc before they are about to do anything remotely dangerous. im just a natural worrier and that can kill the joy and fun of riding. however my 'thrill seeker' side comes out when riding.
i think that is mainly why i ride. to make myself come out of my safe bubble and live a little.
also i love horses and animals in general so whats better than to ride a horse as your hobby. riding, done properly and with care for the horse, can bring you as close as possible to being one with the horse, without turning into a moddy mare yourself :D
for me its like having a close relationship with your dog or cat. but with a horse you can become closer as you can get on their back and enjoy their movement with them. you can feel their moods through their skin as you are close beside them, more so than a dog or cat. (though i love my dogs and cats as much as riding :D)

amy :D

[tillie]

For me, riding is all about the partnership and bond between horse and rider - hearing them whinnying at you at an ungodly hour when it's freezing cold and chucking it down with rain or when they place all their trust in you... It's simply amazing...

I also love the thrill I get from riding and horses - be it galloping on the beach, jumping a 3 foot course or just simply perfecting a simple schooling movement. I thrive on always wanting to learn and improve and bettering my riding and horsemanship and I get a real buzz from horses...

[Wally]

ooh err, why do we ride?? 'k'd if I really know.

The smell of a horse alone is theraputic.


What gives me the urge to get on the back of a free thinking 500kg-1500kg prey animal.....errr, stupidity?

Iv'e ridden cows and they are really uncomfy. Horses are are more comfy and faster.

What gives me a "kick" is I take a wild, scared animal and make friends with him. He lets me get on his back, he does what I would like and in return I do what he'd like. I feed and protect him. If you learn to think and speak like a horse they will do whatever you ask.

[Alle]

Wow..good question. I started riding again last August and can't imagine how or why I stayed away from it for so long. As soon as I step out of my car at the barn, I feel all the day's tension drifting away. When I am riding, it's a whole new world. And caring for Sevi is just as wonderful (but much less scary!) as we really bond the whole time I am with her.

[DavidH]

I ride for several reason, in no particular order.

The adrenalin surge before starting a big XC course.

Soul medicine of hackin at 4.30am on a sunday morning when only me and the horse exist in the world.

The raw power of a horse up on its toes balanced by the infinite lightness.

The relationship of total trust between horse and rider.

A non-judgemental friend to discuss problems with. A bit one sided but seems to help.

The warm feeling that spreads through me when I hear a gentle nicker.

[Esther.D]

Its a way of life. I have been riding since I was three and just cannot begin to comprehend life without horses (I have had my own continuously since I was 5). Life without horses would be like life without any friends or family, I just cannot comprehend what it would be like.

I do love the adrenaline and the sense of achievement that comes from training and gaining trust of an animal, but I am also just happy to have them around me. They really are part of the family.

[laura jeanne]

Alle, I feel the same way.

By the time I drive up to the barn, the rest of the world doesn't exist. I don't know what else could be so relaxing and fun - it even beats lying on the beach and listening to the surf, and I didn't think anything could be better than that!

[epcd3000]

The reasons I ride?

Well, it takes me away from all my problems, and is the only thing that truely makes me happy.. I've been feeling very low lately, but as soon as we pull up into the driveway all I can think about is Boomer, and what we'll be doing in the lesson today. :)

The second reason is because it lets me get away from my parents being so overprotective and from babying me all the time.. (I'm 16 and they just don't want to let me grow up! Some of you should know what I mean :rolleyes: ) I can just go out there with Boomer and we can fly over fences, or canter.. Anything!

[Miriam]

Very much the same as Esther although I have loved horses all my life but never learnt to ride until in my late twenties. I feel different when I'm around them. I don't have to ride (although tonight I was wishing that Kito was a few feet taller and I could ride him :eek:) just need to be around them and since having them I have met some wonderful people

[notpoodle]

good question! i think my reasons to ride are a bit like Wally's, the whole concept of riding a horse is just amazing :)


im not a very good rider (in fact im verging on useless quite often ...) and not at all into competing and things and, even though i am keen to improve, i basically ride for fun ... because riding *is* fun (most of the time!!).

as for the danger part .... i always do my best to ensure i minimise the risk, ie. i wont get on a horse where my gut feeling tells me 'i am not sure im confident to ride this horse, i dont jump (but thats more of a personal preference than a safety thing!), i dont do daring manoevres and always watch out when im around horses (call me paranoid if you like ...)

julia
x

[Ruffiane]

I, too, love the smell. I bury my nose in my horse's neck and that sensation when you first walk into the stable is indescribable. I think I'm at the point where I can maybe just trust the horse (and my trainer) to get me through some of the gnarlier moments for me right now. These are such cool thoughts from everyone.

[Passion]

Take a guess with my name. Its for the love of horses. Breathing in deeply their cutgrass sweet smell, climbing into the saddle and feeling the top of the world. Just grooming them, hugging them, kissing them, being with them is fantastic, but riding. I'm the happiest on the back of a horse. If I had my own horse, it would all be about partership. But since I dont, its about what I feel when Im around them. I don't feel any thrill, but its an unexplainable feeling. All my problems are gone, school, home, friends, family, everything has gone. Its me and the horse, moving with the horse and enjoying things. I never want to be a serious rider, competing all the time and such, but I would love to give competing a go when I eventually have proper lessons. Its my life's goal to find a good affordable place, lol. I'm saving up already. Most of you know how I feel, in unexplainable love for them, I'll do anything to be around them. There is a couple of old run down horses down the road, but they are the sweetest horses ever, and I'm pretty much the only person that looks after them and gives them the attention that they need. Yup, I ride cuz I love it.

[Crazy Caroline]

When I ride I get a complete feeling of freedom. Like riding a motorbike but ozone friendly. It's that feeling that I crave.

I've lost my confidence but started at a new school last Friday and my next lesson is this Thursday. Looking forward to it so much.

Yes, definitely the feeling of freedom. Being one with the horse or pony (and instructor in my case!).

Beautiful feeling can't really describe it.

[buffy_vampire]

i ride because i can get away from all my problems and just be free. it makes me feel like me and my horse are the only ones on the earth and we can ride forever. Even when i get frustrated because my mare bucked when i was training for speed on barrels or when she just stops i cant help but smile when i get off to get a drink or just "relax".

[kedwards]

Hmm, that's a very thought-provoking question. I do love the challenge of learning, the thrill of facing fears, and the pride of succeeding at something that was initially difficult.

However, these things are really just wonderful secondary effects, rather primary reasons for my love of riding. if all I could ever do was walk on the trails, I would still love riding. And if I couldn't ride, I would still want to be around horses to see them, smell them, groom them, and walk alongside them.

They give us so much, don't they?

[DITZ]

First and foremost I ride because it gets me out of the house! No I dont mean I am some sort of lifeless saddo who doesnt get out but I have a job where I am constantly being asked questions and 2 kids who are constantly requiring attention. My riding time is one of pure silence. Bliss!!

I do the other things (schooling/jumping etc) for the challenge of it all and to have satisfaction from progress however small. Its great to still be learning something new.

[imabrit_us]

Aside from the fact that I fell in love w/ ponies/horses when I was about six and have never fallen out of love . . . I love riding because I'm always learning and conquering something. Sometimes it's as simple as learning how to be still and "listen" to what the horse is trying to tell me . . . on the ground AND in the saddle. Sometimes, it's as complex (for me) as learning to FEEL the stride, or really get my legs long, keep my knees down and keep my feet under me.

Like alot of people here, I find being around horses truly relaxing and find that any stress or distraction I have melts away the minute I set foot on the yard.

N

[Jayneus]

God!! This is gonna sound realy daft but why are Horses Prey animals?

Sorry!

[NuttyMare]

Originally posted by Ruffiane
I'm curious if part of the reason that other people here ride is the exhiliration and triumph you feel when you've tried something new that you were afraid of, or handled a scary situation or made some kind of milestone in your riding.

Riding looks so easy to me when I watch other people, but for me it doesn't come easily all the time. I'm a nervous rider, and the more I do, such as the cantering and jumping, the more I sometimes have to bite down my fears.

The thrill of doing something though, that you never thought you'd do, is something that stays with me in every other aspect of my life. I'm kind of hoping that as I get to be a better rider, and more comfortable with my abilities, that new situations will just be a cool new challenge.

I guess I could just stay where I am in my riding and just get better at cantering, but while I'm nervous sometimes, I want to keep going and keep trying new things. There are nights when my trainer says to do something, or to jump "one more time" and I want to say "nope" but I don't. I do it, because I don't want to give in to my fears.

Is that part of it for others as well? I never had a pasttime or sport before that required courage in any way. Playing the piano, ballet and tennis aren't exactly high-risk sports! Maybe this is part of the attraction for anyone who does something that's risky.

i'm not sure why i ride, but i just love horses, plus its a great sport that involves another living being! (the horse that is ;))

You're right, riding always looks easy when other people do it, but put yourself in their situation.

I used to get such a great thrill from jumping, but I'd had several bad falls (causing muscle damage in left arm and breaking a bone in left hand) causing my confidence to plummet. But, I turned it round and said to my instructor, I'm going to do this, I really am.

Hope you're confidence increases :)

[Ruffiane]

It's funny. I was watching a class the other night before mine, and they were jumping the same types of jumps I was doing and was so nervous about. And watching them, I felt silly being scared. But when you're up there, it all looks bigger.

That night I was kind of tired and not up to trying to control everything so I basically decided, well, whatever the horse does, she does. I basically just hung on and it all went fine!

We did some ground poles, trotting and cantering. And trotted over cross poles.

Every time it gets easier.

[Ruffiane]

Do you ever feel you need a break from riding? I don't know why. Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's the routine. Maybe it's just that I'd like to ride without being in a lesson once in a while. But lately I don't feel like going to my lessons. When I go, I'm glad. But I'm not champing at the bit to get there like I was.

[laura jeanne]

I'm wondering if part of why i like to ride are the images I have always had of riding and horses.

The elegance of the horse, the cowboy image, the bonding with a beautiful animal (a la Black Stallion), the feeling of power and nobility associated with being on horseback throughout history, things like that.

Also, there is the feeling of accomplishment at making progress in your riding ability. Tuesday, we jumped our little crossrail at a canter and we were all so excited and proud of ourselves! (me, OH, and woman who has joined our lessons). After the jump, we had to canter a few more strides, slow to a walk and stop on a straight line. Earlier this year I did not think I would ever want to try jumping and now it feels so exhilarating!

[Mehitabel]

it's an addiction. cheaper (just) and healthier (mostly) than drugs i suppose!
i just have to - even before i had any idea about horses i was fascinated by them - mum says i always used to point to them outof car windows, always wanted to look at pictures of them, and when i started riding when i was 5 she knew i wasn't going to grow out of it like my sisters had.

it is humbling, it is a passion, i love the smell - it's not something i have a choice about. i'm miserable when i go too long without seeing a horse.

[denise42]

I have always been in love with horses, animals of any sort , but truly fasinatied with horses and riding.
The bond of trust, the feeling of truly being who I was ment to be , when I am with my horse.
You don't have to fake it , or live up to others expectations with a horse , ( or any pet really ) .
but horses, they allow you to share in their strength, grace and speed. :D & as the saying goes you can't get from a hamster :p