I grew up riding horses. I would go out to the barn once or twice a week to ride. I took lessons but after a while was able to ride on my own. I was so into horses that I was beginning to ride about four times a week and was in a Pony Club. I was so determined to be a good rider. I learned so much and to this day am a very confident rider. Since I am now in college, I barely get to ride anymore but am still lucky to be able to go to barns when I am home and away at college. Horses taught me to be brave and to learn trust. Here are some things that I did as a kid and a teenager while growing up with 2,000-pound animals.

1. You started off riding with fake fancy leather boots you had in your closet

2. Majority of horse kids upgraded from the fake boots to the rubber boots

3. You then were able to upgrade to half chaps and short boots

4. You had little breeches that were usually tan

5. In every store, you had an eagle eye for the horse shirts

6. You grew up collecting Breyer Horses

7. Ariat was one the few brands you owned

8. Horse poop did not bother you one bit. In fact, you might have picked it up and threw it at your friends

9. You converted your nonriding friends to become horse addicts like you

10. You had at least 1 horse birthday party

11. You knew the inside of small horse feed and tack stores like the back of your hand

12. You probably started wearing flannel at a young age

13. At some point, you subscribed to a horse magazine

14. You are probably familiar with The Saddle Club

15. You can probably quote Flicka with no problem

16. Now that "riding boots" are the style, you can just wear yours and be "in fashion

17. You knew all the old country songs because that was all that was playing at the barn

18. Your car was always covered in dust from the long dusty roads

19. Even though you are an adult, you still look for anything horse related