When I was younger, I was horse crazy. I dreamed of horses. When I was about 9 or 10 I started horseback riding lessons. But that didn't cut it. I needed a horse just as I need to breathe. And finally when I was 13 years old I got a horse - Brandy. I boarded her at a barn where I worked off a portion of her boarding bill each Saturday mucking out stalls, exercising horses, grooming horses, stacking bales of hay, weeding, painting fences and other farm work. I LOVED it. The smell of horses, hay and leather - heaven to me. I loved every aspect of horse life - the work, the riding, the love of a horse.
I wanted to go into equine sciences in college but ASU didn't offer it (boo hoo). And so began my departure from the horse world - something I never thought possible - it was in my blood afterall. But being a poor college kid without a car, what else could I do? Every once in a while I'd get the opportunity for a trail ride or a lesson, but I wasn't immersed.
I got married, had kids and I pushed the horse part of me away. Essentially, I went missing.
Until one day . . .when Carena expressed an interest in horses and riding. And, I was back again! We signed Carena up for lessons. Riding is expensive, so she only went every other week. For Christmas and her birthday she received money to go toward more lessons. I love watching her ride. I love being around horses again.
Then Carena's riding instructor informed us that she wouldn't be teaching anymore. BUT!! Since she has two horses and not a lot of time she was wondering if we'd be interested in leasing one of her horses. What this means is that we pay a monthly fee (a mere $15.00 more than we were paying for lessons each month and Carena still has money from her birthday and Christmas that she's using) and have full access to Sonny, the sorrel quarter horse.
Heaven.
We've had to acquire a saddle (it's turquoise) and buy horsey treats (they smell good enough to eat). We drive 25 minutes each way 3-4 times a week to hang out with Sonny and to ride. We spent 2 1/2 hours clearing out a field so we'd have an "arena" to ride in.
To see Carena standing in a field with Sonny and the smell of horses surrounding us . . . that's heaven. Carena told me she wanted to move to the barn. She said we could live in the tack room. I'm on board.
Carena's in her element . . .outside, nature, HORSES. Me, in my element . . . outside, nature, horses and my sweet daughter. It doesn't get any better than that.
