So you're a horse lover,,,,,,were you born that way.

[Frankie]

If I see one thing in most miniature horse guardians, it is they have so much passion for the horse, horses they care for.

My own belief is many people were born with that passion, to love and care for their horses and or other animals. I know many who have gotten a horse later in life, care the same, so were they taught, or learn from experience? Or as we have seen, some born onto the farm.

The person born with it, I bet you know one. Animals flock to them, and listen to their every word, know what the other is saying.

I have wanted horses since my first rocking horse, I believe I was 4. When most kids oohed and aahed at the zoo over the bears and tigers, I just wanted to go to the petting zoo because that is where the horse always was.

So, were you born with it? Or did it take you longer to realize your passion?

And that passion does what for your horses?

Mine,,,,,for sure makes me spoil them,, but too encurages me to always learn, because it is about what is best for them. I just get tons of enjoyment out of it myself.

 

[disneyhorse]

Born that way. As soon as I knew what a horse WAS, I wanted one. My parents finally shut me up by telling me I could have one when I was 12 and old enough to take care of one. It actually kinda worked.

In the meantime, I would do ANYTHING to be around horses, including feeding/cleaning up after them for FREE just to get the hands on experience.

I don't know, people who get into horses later on seem to view them more as "pets" and tend to spoil them. They just think they are pretty and want to finally "be around" them. A very small percentage of them actually become bonafide "horsemen" in my opinion. But that very small percentage that is truly motivated usually gives it their all!

Andrea

 

[Dona]

I believe I was galloping away on my make-believe horse in the womb! (my mom can back me up on that one!)

I fell in love for sure, the first time I was put on the back of one of my uncles horses as an infant! Horses have been my passion ever since...and I have no doubt they always will be.

 

[SWA]

Born with it.

My grandpa and daddy always told me, "Horses...they're in my blood".

I eat, drink, sleep, breath and bleed...HORSES!

(With all animals, actually.)

Always have (according to my mom), and always will (Lord willing)!

With, or without 'em.

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

I am both....

We had large horses when I was a kid. I always loved them. They were sold when I was 12.

So.....30 years later, I found the love of minis. Now my passion for them that can not be measured!!!! I have always been an animal lover, now it includes horses.

 

[hhpminis]

I was born with it. I always ran to an animal than a human for comfort and consoling. My animals were my confidants, they heard and solved all my problems. There are so many pictures of me, with blanket in one hand and thumb in my mouth and other arm around some sort of animal, dog, cat, pony, chicken, you name it, I loved it.

The feelings always seemed mutual. I could do things with animals that no one else in the family could do. Treating wounds, giving medicines, grooming, were all things that usually I did as they all just cooperated for me where they would fight other members of the family.

My parents were always stumped as to why I had this ability, gift, desire, and where it came from, but had it I did and there was no supressing or denying it. I had way more 4 legged friends than human. I have just always understood them, and they seem to understand me.

 

[LisaB Ozark]

I was born to it. You can ask my mother - at the age of 18 months I tried to ride a neighbors cat (I think that was the worse I was ever hurt from riding). It is my moms favorite story.

I never played with dolls but with breyer horses and the teeter tawter was the white and black stallions.

My dad built me a play house when I was five and we turned it into the "Stable".

I got my first pony when I was 7 and have had horses ever since (a long time).

Lisa

 

[wpsellwood]

Born into. I won my first lead line class at the ripe age of 18 months! I still have the ribbons. Then went to racehorses now back to miniatures.

I slept with Breyer horse not a doll or a teddy bear. I still have it!

 

[CKC]

Born one....

I'm told that the only other true horse fan in my family was my great grandmother..... while going through some old photos found at my grandmothers house she had a picture of me sitting on my great grandmothers lap with a toy horse.

With my great grandmother

With my Mom

I "broke" a pony my grandfather got when I was probably 5. Before that I would ride the white board fence with a white studded western saddle and bridle my grandfather had sitting around.

That is really not easy to do. LOL

When I was 5 I did try and ride the adult St. Bernard my Dad brought home one time as our new pet until he trampled me in the backyard.

My Mom tells me we would go grocery shopping where there was a coin operated horse. Now I do remember this horse. He was white like " Silver" and had a studded western saddle and bridle. She told me she would leave me with a bag of quarters. I would get to ride that horse at least once a week. That is one of my fondest memories. That store is no longer a grocery store, but I've heard that horse is still there.

I would love to have him.

Year after year I begged for a horse of my own.... my Mom signed me up for lessons at the age of 9 and it took off from there. I showed quite a bit. At the age of 15 we were moving to the country my parents finally bought me a horse.

Many horses later and two very very bad accidents I am now one that has "pets" in my backyard and love every minute of it. We do have two QH's. One will be going to train in April and I hope I get my confidence back and can get up on him again. I've found a wonderful trainer which is a good start. She has patience and will train Moxie the right way. As well as work with me. The freedom I used to feel riding I want again and I know Moxie can get me there.

Kim

 

[Miniv]

Both of us were general ANIMAL NUTS.........but NO horse knowledge until we decided we were going to buy one. We started learning a year before making our first purchase.........and the learning has never stopped in the last 18 years. Of course, book-learning is important, but Hands On experience can't be beat either.

 

[Freezin Cold B]

I was born without much choice!

In the weeks leading up to my birth my mom was traveling cross country dropping off horses.

My first trip out of the state was at a few months old down to Oklahoma to Bobby Harts.

My first horse show was in the spring of 1986, I was born in Feb of 1986.

My first horse was given to me before I could walk.

I had a baby swing in the barn to keep me occupied while my mom worked horses.

I was both born and trained to be a horse nut!

 

[skanzler]

I was born with the ability to relate to animals. My parents had horses, chickens, rabbits dogs, cats.....When I was only 1 year old, my mom bougt me a pony. I have pictures of me on that pony being held by my dad...I had the biggest grin on my face.

I continued on with the animals. Always bringing home the sick or hurt . Playing vet was my favorite thing to do. All of my dolls had to have a horse of thier own. I had all the Breyer horses there were back then.

My mom had me taking riding lessons when I was 6 years old and I was out showing for the next 10 years. I have always had the ability to work with animals of all kinds. I have never felt fear from any animal, and they have never shown fear of me. Mom always thought I would grow up to be a vet, but I could not handle the neglect and cruelty that people were capable of.

Whenever I had a tough day, I would come straight home and go out to the barn and take my horse out for a ride. We would go for miles and just talk to her, by the time I got home everything was fine.

When I turned 16 I bought my first car, yep, it was a Mustang. Still have the grill ornament.

I continued riding, training, and showing. Now several years later, I still have my horses, dogs, cats and a ferret.... LOVE THEM ALL.

 

[sedeh]

Had to be born with it! Even though I was born on a farm! Neither of my parents was really into pets/animals. The farm property was leased out for Cherry orchards, then we moved to the "city" in Calif. I was always dragging home critters! Hurt birds, frogs.....you name it! With horses......it was love at first sight! Had all the Walter Farley books, plastic horses(pre-Breyer) and the only dolls that survived me(or weren't just given away) were the ones small enough to ride the horses! I'd save my allowance to ride the rental horses at the park. When we moved to the Hi-Desert and had 1/2 acre of property......I filled every nitch with goats/pigs/rabbits and sheep for FFA projects. The only thing forbidden me was a horse!! They finally gave in and let me have one when I was 17......but then I entered the RN program and didn't have time for her anymore! Had to give her up before we ever really bonded.

As soon as I was done with my BSN and financially able......I got what I considered my "first" horse. Haven't been without since! Now I don't ride anymore(had a bad accident) and I've finally got the "pony" I always wanted......well, 13 of them to be precise!

 

[Jill]

I was born that way. When I was little, I wanted a horse so bad I thought I could die of it! I didn't get my first horse until I was in my 20's, an arab x qh gelding I just lost last summer (elderly at that time). It was years, I swear, after getting that horse before I felt like he was really mine! Just like a couple years of pinching myself to believe it was all really real

Now I feel like having horses is the biggest luxury and one of the biggest blessings in my life

 

[jrae]

Born with it. I was on my first horse with dad at a few months old. I can't imagine a life that doesn't include them!!!

 

[Jill]

I don't know, people who get into horses later on seem to view them more as "pets" and tend to spoil them. They just think they are pretty and want to finally "be around" them. A very small percentage of them actually become bonafide "horsemen" in my opinion. But that very small percentage that is truly motivated usually gives it their all!

Andrea

Not to argue

But I've always felt for me personally, that I appreciate having horses now more than I might have if I had grown up always having them? That I take them really seriously too and have an ambition I may not have otherwise in regards to them. I'm not sure I would be as thankful and as driven in regard to horses if I had always had them as a part of every day life. I've only owned horses since 1995, but I am a horsewoman... I may love some of mine as "pets" but I treat them all as horses (you know what I mean)

 

[Getitia]

Born that way - from the time I could walk, I was riding and I would ride anything - as a very young child, I didn't need or even want a saddle or a bridle - I'd just climb on and hang on when no one was looking.

Here is a photo that is over 45 years old of me (and a couple of cousins) on my first horse who was an american saddlebred mare named JoAnn. Arabians, quarter horses, appaloosas, paints, and over the decades exhibiting many of those horses in a multitude of disciplines up to the National/world level.

 

[Carolyn R]

I was born that way. I Have four siblings, I was born and raised in Eastern Pa, away from the city. My siblings were all born and spent the first several years of their lives in Philladelphia. The only other sibling that REALLY enjoys horses is my oldest brother. I was the kid that would eat, sleep, and breathe horses.

Now I am all grown up with kids of my own, and I am still that way.

I can't help but think how different things may be if my parents never moved out of the city. I will always be greatful to them for giving us the chance to be "country kids" when I was growing up.

Carolyn

 

[Sue S]

I have loved horses all my life, was riding them at the age of 12 and was a guide on a ranch at the age of 16, I love my horses, they have always made me so happy when I'm down.

 

[dannigirl]

Ok,

I am going to give a VERY different answer. I grew up on a dairy farm. Most of the time, one brother or the other managed to get Dad to buy a pony or horse for a while. I was never interested in the animal. It was just another mouth to feed when it was my job to go out and feed.

When I got married, Dave had a horse. No one really ever rode the horse or spent much time with it. It sort of attached itself to me after we moved to the farm where it was living. I never went to give it attention. In fact, I really didn't want to get near her because she scared me. She got out quite frequently, and would be in the front yard where she would be able to keep me prisoner in my house till Dave got home. It even got so that the only person that could actually walk up and grab her halter was me. When we wanted to catch her, I would slowly walk up to her. (she never ran from me) I would grab her halter, keep a tight smile on my face and talk quietly to her while sort of hissing to the others to get their butts over and get this 'darn' horse.

A couple of years after she died of old age, Dave's Dad bought some minis. Now, these guys were a bit more to my liking, but being mostly in the 35" to 38" range, they could bully and intimidate me. Then he bought a herd that included 10 weanlings. Now, these I could handle. I started to work with them and soon fell in love.

Now, nearly 12 years later, the rest is "history" as they say. I will probably have at least a few pets around me as long as I am capable of caring for them.