Ever wondered what good could come of sitting on a 1,200 pound animal and asking it to move around at various speeds? Well, then this is the place for you! Horses can be intimidating, but they are so worth the effort to invest in! Whether you want to try a lesson from a local barn, go on a pony ride at the fair, or haul some friends to a nearby dude ranch, there are endless possibilities when it comes to riding and interacting with these huge, magnificent creatures.
1. You can feel the wind in your hair!
You're at least two or three feet off the ground, if not more, and once you're up there you've won half the battle! Now you can look down at your family and friends and ask, "How's the weather down there?" while the color drains from your face.
2. A bond with a huge animal is rewarding!
While they may be big, they can be as gentle as puppies, when given the right influence. A horse can never be forced to do something it doesn't want to, so it's even more rewarding when you can earn the respect and mutual understanding of a horse with, well, horsepower.
3. It's always entertaining!
Entertaining, life-threatening...same thing, really.
4. There are plenty of styles!
Aside from the different breeds, there are different types of riding, too! English, Western, Australian, you name it! Even the top most experienced riders can learn something new and continue their passion forever.
5. And plenty of personalities, too!
Every horse has a characteristic (or ten) that makes riding him or her a unique experience. Like the old saying goes, the more horses you ride the better rider you become.
6. You get a workout!
I'm not even going to address the misinformed people out there who think riding isn't a sport, or that the horse does all the work. Anyone who's ridden a barrel horse, cutting horse, dressage horse, cross country horse, ect. can tell them otherwise.
7. Did I mention the workout?
Because you will be. The. Thigh. Master.
8. You can identify with movie stars!
You know all those horses in those movies out there? Well, now you can debunk those scenes where the horse is constantly making noise, stomping, or kicking someone. Plus, you can pretend to be like Viggo Mortensen and Hidalgo, or Tom Hiddleston and his drafty gray horse.
9. You'll have a boost of confidence!
Anyone who's ridden a horse, whether at a walk or a flat-out gallop, over jumps or under branches, can tell you it's a thrill. Even more so, though, is the fact that you stayed on! (Or, at least, tried...) It's a real encouragement to someone when they find out they have a little more horsemanship skills than they realized.
10. At least you can say you tried.
At the end of the day, what really matters is how you feel about it. Did you have fun? Were you afraid? It's perfectly acceptable to feel a mixture of the two. But, hey, you stepped up to the plate and tried something new. Good for you! Maybe it will be the last time you step foot near a horse, but maybe it will be the start of a life-long love.
You'll have to try it and find out. ;)
