p>Every sport and activity obviously attracts a certain kind of person. Soccer people are usually light on their feet and super coordinated, figure skaters are graceful and strong, hurlers are just kind of epic (if you don’t know what that sport is, look it up) and then there’s horseback riders. We’re a special breed of people all together. I know, I know -- we just sit there and the horse does all the work right? Ha. That’s funny. It’s a thousand-pound animal that could kill you with one little mistake or fall due to their size alone, but we control them and bond with them. Horseback riders are dedicated, brave, strong, patient, and elegant. We have the poise of a skater, and the patience of a monk. We try things again, and again; we have to pay attention to the tiniest details about our body positioning as well as our horses, whilst doing some complicated movements. With that little rant, I present to you, a few truths riders know to be evident.

1. We always have horse slobber on us somewhere. Green, clothes staining slobber.

2. We have all fallen off and felt all of those accompanying emotions. Annoyance, hurt pride, and the what the heck just happened moment, wow that was stupid. And no 9/10 we were NOT “bucked” off.

3. We can’t help but inwardly critique everyone else we see ride, because even if we’re not great at something, we still know what it should look like. I see you human, push those heels down. No, further down.

4. Horses aren’t always fun. They’re waking up at 5 am for a horse show, they’re getting you drenched and soapy when they don’t want a bath, it’s stepping in their manure at the most inopportune times.

5. A bond with a horse is an unmatched feeling. Being on the right horse, they feel like a thousand pound extension of yourself. You trust them, and you know them to a level a non-rider couldn’t quite understand.

6. Our core is super strong, and sore half the time. I don’t think people realize just HOW much core strength we use to control the animal under us and stay balanced. I may not be fit by any means, but when I’m riding often, my abs definitely get their workout.

7. Horses are weird af. No, really, the whole lip-smacking, head-nodding, freaking out because OH GOD INVISIBLE TERROR MUST RUN. They’re just weird, if you ride you know what I mean.

8. It’s not cheap. We invest a lot of time AND money into riding. I dare you to just look up the cost of tall riding boots, go on, do it. Nothing is sacred in thy wallet when you ride, but oh whale.

9. It’s totally worth it. The dirt, the stepped on toes, bruised tailbones, sore body, early mornings, helmet hair, grassy slobber stains. There is no aspect of riding that is not worth it to a rider. We are stubborn, and we understand what it’s like to love and be loved by one of the most gorgeous animals to grace this earth. We wouldn’t trade it for a thing.