Recently, Anna at Horsewrite has started this fun project of a #dailylegup word of the day, for equestrians to take a few minutes a day and just jot down what that word inspires in them. One word that really sparked something in me was “Passion”. And it brought me back here.
This blog in and of itself is what I call a passion project, or a labor of love. I don’t make money off this blog, it’s not a tutorial, I don’t post exercises I do with my horse. It’s simply a living journal for me to document my life with my horses. Lately, I have decided to start writing a little bit more broad posts that are inspired by Anna at Horsewrite and her prompts, but really its about reflection for me and gives me time to analyze my place in this weird equestrian world. But I digress.
The word passion sparked in me all the things I am passionate about within the equestrian world and one small Instagram post was NOT enough. So what am I passionate about?
First thing? OTTBs. I own two of them. I love them. The work ethic of the OTTB is boundless. The athleticism. I wrote a blog post several months back about why I love my horse and how he is my dream come true. As outlined there I have ALWAYS been obsessed with thoroughbreds. Ever since I was a little girl. When I volunteered at a stable for ride time, I actively sought out the TBs. When I started my formal education, I rode TBs. When I looked for a new trainer after taking 6 years off, I gravitated to one who restarted OTTBs. I have ALWAYS been obsessed, which I guess is another way to say passionate.
By extension of having OTTBs, I am also pretty passionate about the racing industry. I long so very much to be heavily involved. Thankfully Preston also shares this passion. We LOVE going to the track. We have our favorite trainers, jockeys, bloodlines that we bet on. We have friends who are deep in the thick of it. Ruffi’s breeder is a close friend and we like to be involved and assist in her sales prepping of her babies. We have talked about co-owning a racehorse one day. We have talked about breeding ourselves or pinhooking. We love this industry.
Another thing that EVERY horse owner should be passionate about is horse care. For me, my biggest things are saddle fit, body care and nutrition for my equine children. I agonize and go back and forth CONSTANTLY over these things. I analyze what my kids are getting, what nutrients they are deficient in. What supplements to add or remove. Does the saddle fit, do we need to have the fitter out? Are they sore, do they need a massage or chiropractic? When you have a horse with Kissing Spines, its imperative to be reviewing these things constantly.
In addition to the breed, the industry they come from and their care, the other things I am most passionate about is their careers after the track. I consider myself an eventer by passion. My goal with Bacardi is to take him recognized beginner/novice in the next couple years. Ruffi, while being Preston’s horse is also becoming a good working citizen and will be a dressage mount as well. Dressage, really and truly should be the foundation of all disciplines. Whether working over fences or in a western saddle, your horse should always have correct movement. I avidly try to follow all the international 5* 3 day events and I have my favorite eventers, like Doug Payne and Jonelle Price.
There is so much to be passionate about when it comes to horses, including just the horses themselves. This, for me, has been a lifelong passion that I have had as far back as I can remember and I don’t believe I will ever grow out of.
What makes you passionate about horses?
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