Do
you often wonder why you are riding? What is this feeling
that drives you to go seek a horse and mount it at least
four times a week? Riders often say it's the true passion
for the equines that make them addicted to the equestrian
sport. Others claim they do it for physical reasons
or for just to be outside. Or do they ride for pure
entertainment. Albeit, it is unquestionable that horses
work like a drug, that they are an obsession, an indoctrination
which chains (or liberates) you for life.
Once you buy a horse you can say lala-land
goodbye. Responsability and concern will dominate your
life until you sell your horse or until your beloved
friend dies. How many of you have scratched 'a holiday'
from their things-to-do-during-the summer list, because
of horses? How many husbands and wives feel neglected
because you are not there doing laundry, the dishes
or changing dipers. Instead the spouse or life partner
has to be searched for in stalls, the feeding room,
the hay or somewhere on a horse.
What is killing me most is the struggle
to find that one goal in your equestrian career. Do
you want to learn to ride in order to compete, or do
you just prefer spending time with your animal. What
satisfies you most, winning a trophy or watching your
horse enjoy the last fresh grassof this autumn? I think
the challenge and the difficulty of horse riding --
read dressage -- are two of the reasons that addict
you to the sport. Day after day you get the impression
that you will never master the art of dressage, that
you are only screwing up your horse or even injuring
him by bumping in the saddle and pulling the reins.
How often do you say, "dear friend, please forgive me
for abusing you so much, unintentionally"?
Do
you often wonder why you are riding? What is this feeling
that drives you to go seek a horse and mount it at least
four times a week? Riders often say it's the true passion
for the equines that make them addicted to the equestrian
sport. Others claim they do it for physical reasons
or for just to be outside. Or do they ride for pure
entertainment. Albeit, it is unquestionable that horses
work like a drug, that they are an obsession, an indoctrination
which chains (or liberates) you for life. 
