Personal Narrative: My Horse

Most people are all grown up when they finally figure out what they want to do with their life. I was 4. I realized what I wanted to be when I attended my very first Rodeo. Even though it was so long ago I can remember that day like it was yesturday. That day got me on the path to my future.

Some people think of them as animals. Some people think of them as objects. Some people think of them as friends. Then there are the few who think of them as family. Horses have always been like family to humans, except sometimes closer. There are many benefits to owning or being around horses. They come in many different colors. There is a multitude of breeds, also. Additionally, they have a long history with humans. Horses have unique behaviors. Showing horses has been the past-time or even career of many people. Furthermore, caring for horses can be a handful, but is definitely rewarding. Finally, riding horses is not just a hobby or a sport, but an action of your heart. Horses are wondrous creatures that have lived with man or

¨Hopefully I get a midget horse¨ I thought as we pulled into the ranch. As I opened the car door, I heard the thunderous THUMP THUMP of horses hooves. ¨Oh God¨ I thought as my stomach turned into a knotted ball. Soon we were greeted by one of the ranch hands and were taken to a dinky shed to get suited up and sign waivers. Then came saddling time. We were taken to the horse pen where we were greeted by the stench of horse manure. I spied out a smaller horse around five to six feet tall and hoped to get that one as my horse. Shure enough my grandma got that horse as she is the shortest. I spied out yet another horse on the shorter side and hoped to get that one. My turn to get saddled came next and sure enough, with my luck, I get the second

I approached the spirited horse with confidence because I was experienced with these types of shows in which all the riders are assigned a random horse to ride. I could sense his tension as soon as I was in the saddle. He furiously pawed the ground and shifted his weight around. Before I knew it, we entered the arena. Almost immediately he began prancing like a deer around the ring, my fear growing with every misstep he took. I desperately looked to my coach for advice, but there was nothing she could do. It was between him and me and he knew he was in control. The spectators lining the outside of the arena fell into an eerie silence each time we passed by. I was masquerading, pretending I had him under control while the situation continued to worsen. In my mind years passed before the judge finally called for all of the riders to line up in the middle of the arena. As we turned to line up, he stopped. I convinced him to take one reluctant step forward before he reared up onto his hind legs. He rose up higher and higher, turning into a skyscraper towering over all others in the arena. Then, everything went quiet. I frantically grabbed for his white mane, trying to maintain my balance, but to no avail. We both fell backwards, all two thousand pounds of his body crushing

I found myself on the ground tasting dirt within minutes of getting on a horse for the first time. Having apprenticed as a stable hand for the first few weeks of equestrian training, I knew I had grown to love the sport. Fortunately, dignity bruises much easily than the body and though shaken, I wouldn’t be deterred. The sheer joy I felt during those short minutes was unparalleled, and I wanted more. Mastering this discipline I realized, demanded a commitment to extensive study and practice. Four months, three falls and a broken wrist later, I qualified for my first equestrian championship.

There are many things that I have learned, and many are worth mentioning. One in particular is when I was learning how to ride my horse. In order to do this you need to have dedication, balance, and you have to respect the animals. If you don't have these things you won't have a good connection to your horse, because they can feel your body language and smell your fear, pain, or if your happy. You're moods are transmitted to them if your nervous then they are also nervous and you dont want that. I am going to tell you of the time that i've been riding for a few years now, this was when I was around 8 years old (narration, flashback).

My heart was beating a hundred miles a minute. I was excited to ride the horse, but also nervous. I had never been around a horse before so I didn’t really know what to do. I knew horses kick or buck when frightened and I kept having to reassure myself that I was going to be okay. As we were walking up to the horse barn I shook those thoughts from my head. I could already hear the horses breathing and the smell of the fresh hay was oozing out of the building. My Uncle opened the barn door and my Aunt walked out with Striker, their oldest and nicest horse. Striker was very tall for a horse and all black, except for his nose, which had white

So I went down to the barn and saddled that horse right up. I should have known not to just jump on this big horse. He was acting very agitated throwing his head. Stomping his feet all over the place. I ignored all signs of turmoil and jumped on. When I got on I expected everything. But, nothing happened he just stood there like a perfectly tame horse. So I let my guard down loosened up my

When Tehani was 9 and I was 10 we where up our uncle's ranch chasing calfs. A calf got loose and it chased after Tehani. As she was watching the calf chase after her she turned to look back and WHAM!! she ran right into the bobwire fence. I imeadietly rode my horse to rope the calf. Tehani stood up and laughed like the sun. As she stood up she was red as a tomato. Her face and body was scratched and slightly bloody. I took the calf back and grabbed the horse. My horse was as tired as a bear in hibernation. So I saddled up my other horse like fast and furious and dashed off to Tehani and told her to take the horse back to the rach to go get cleanrd off. I stayed back to help my uncle with the rest of the calfs. That night Tehani and I rode

There is nothing like getting to the barn and being greeted by an animal that loves you more than anything. The bond between my horse and me is something that can never be broken; we have a connection that no one else understands, only us. Horses are not just pets; they are a shoulder to cry on, a family member, and most importantly a best friend who is there for you no matter what.

I reiterated in my mind I’m a failure as I made my way past the arena’s exit. My conscience told me I couldn’t think like this whilst riding a horse, and that it was time to start thinking like a real rider. I had to find a way to control my nerves, or they would control me. I reminisced on what just occurred. First, I was too nervous, past the level of my normal function. Second, I was more in my head than in reality. Third, it was time to think about my actions instead of worrying about the past. I lost the class; did that really show that I was a bad rider? As I began to doubt my talents my thoughts provided me with an epiphany; to succeed I needed to start riding like the talented rider I knew I could be. I needed to try again to prove to myself that I really can ride

“How? I… We thought you had…” he trails off, his smile fading, and his hand finds the back of his neck.

Something plunked on the ground. He looked, saw nothing, and concluded he kicked a rock aside when he turned. Glad to be finished with the unpleasant task, he slapped the dirt from his hands and swung into the saddle.

Ever since I was a little girl, I have been interested in horses. I believe I have inherited this interest and passion for them because my father loves them as well. My father has had horses in his life ever since he was 13 years old, and he never seems to get enough of them because he just really appreciates them. I grew up loving them because he taught my sisters and I how to care for them and how they can be a person’s best friend.

When I was young, maybe 2 or so, my Grampa Lowther gave me a rocking horse. He started making them in 1999 at Confederation Park Senior Citizens Center’s wood shop. They would make them and sell them to earn money for the center.