Read Online Horse Crazy by Susan Kiernan-Lewis - Free Book Online
Authors: Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Tags: England, Horses, UK, Royal, New Zealand, Riding, horseback riding, equine, hunter jumper, nz, princess anne, kiwi, equestrienne
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bliss or
horse relations.
This jealousy can reach extraordinary
proportions. Several people claim to have husbands who support
their interest in horses and even their horses themselves. These
husbands will still insist unhappily to their wives that they're
convinced they rank second in their wives' affections.
One man, who will boast proudly of his
daughter's ability on the show jumping circuit, will nonetheless,
accuse his wife--also a horsewoman--of loving the horse more than
she loves him.
This is a dangerous statement, and makes most
horsewomen a little nervous.
Another school of thought pervasive in and
around horsy circles--no doubt instigated and perpetuated by horse
husbands--insists that women ride because of their need and
resultant pleasure in dominating a very large, dumb (make no
mistake) animal. (Perhaps these men sense an uncomfortable parallel
and therein lies their annoyance.)
My own response to this particular theory is
simple. I believe that horse love, and the demonstration of such,
as it's found in the typical woman--snob or not, is usually derived
from a little girl's infatuation, and that is love in its purest,
sweetest form.
If you're eking out your horse hobby on a
budget, you can expect your husband and family (unless they're
involved in horses too) to resent the time the horse will take from
them. And make no mistake, the horse will take big chunks of time
from them. It's a choice you make. And when your family accuses you
of caring to spend more time with the horse more than you do them,
it's also a choice of whether or not you want to believe the truth
behind their complaints.
On the other hand, while it's true that horse
love and people marriages don't always make for happy trails, a
working arrangement can be fashioned. If you've got mountains of
money, for example, or don't have to work for a living, you might
be able to get all your horsy activities out of the way while your
husband is at work. You may then appear freshly scrubbed (even the
most tolerant of horse husbands will frown on the occasional piece
of horse manure stuck to your dainty little boots), and ready to
talk of Current (i.e. Non-Horsy) Events.
The ideal love match, of course, would be two
horse people. Although you'd probably not want to spend a whole lot
of time with them because they'd be so bloody boring.
Nonetheless, there is a continuing belief
that sharing the same obsession can be helpful in making a
relationship last. Along these lines, a single horsewoman can
expect an entirely different set of values to come into play for
her when it comes to romance:
"Can you believe it? She's dating a Vet!!"
(Said with the same envy as if you substituted the word "sheik,"
"next president," or "George Clooney" for the word "vet.")
The fact of the matter is, unless your
husband rides too, he'll never understand a major part of you.
Horses are soulmate companions to some very
intimate adventures: they are witnesses to moments of truth that
the rider would encounter nowhere else in her daily schedule, they
are involved and absolutely committed in moments when real courage
is needed, they are agreeable companions on lonely, soul-searching
walks in the woods and will probably share more incredible sunsets
with you than anyone else you'll ever know.
It's no wonder the bond between a woman and
her horse is singular and kindred.
Chapter Six
Riding: Its Ups and Downs
As it happens, there are one or two books on
the market that tell you how to ride a horse. They can be boiled
down to one word. One magic word that is the key to riding and
future equestrian happiness. If you know this word then the rest of
it will fall into place for you. Of all the books you could (and
should) read about how to ride, the thing you most need to glean
from them is how to perfect the art of balance.
All the brilliant leg positions, trés snazzy riding duds and renowned instructors will do nothing for you
if you can't balance yourself on the
horse relations.
This jealousy can reach extraordinary
proportions. Several people claim to have husbands who support
their interest in horses and even their horses themselves. These
husbands will still insist unhappily to their wives that they're
convinced they rank second in their wives' affections.
One man, who will boast proudly of his
daughter's ability on the show jumping circuit, will nonetheless,
accuse his wife--also a horsewoman--of loving the horse more than
she loves him.
This is a dangerous statement, and makes most
horsewomen a little nervous.
Another school of thought pervasive in and
around horsy circles--no doubt instigated and perpetuated by horse
husbands--insists that women ride because of their need and
resultant pleasure in dominating a very large, dumb (make no
mistake) animal. (Perhaps these men sense an uncomfortable parallel
and therein lies their annoyance.)
My own response to this particular theory is
simple. I believe that horse love, and the demonstration of such,
as it's found in the typical woman--snob or not, is usually derived
from a little girl's infatuation, and that is love in its purest,
sweetest form.
If you're eking out your horse hobby on a
budget, you can expect your husband and family (unless they're
involved in horses too) to resent the time the horse will take from
them. And make no mistake, the horse will take big chunks of time
from them. It's a choice you make. And when your family accuses you
of caring to spend more time with the horse more than you do them,
it's also a choice of whether or not you want to believe the truth
behind their complaints.
On the other hand, while it's true that horse
love and people marriages don't always make for happy trails, a
working arrangement can be fashioned. If you've got mountains of
money, for example, or don't have to work for a living, you might
be able to get all your horsy activities out of the way while your
husband is at work. You may then appear freshly scrubbed (even the
most tolerant of horse husbands will frown on the occasional piece
of horse manure stuck to your dainty little boots), and ready to
talk of Current (i.e. Non-Horsy) Events.
The ideal love match, of course, would be two
horse people. Although you'd probably not want to spend a whole lot
of time with them because they'd be so bloody boring.
Nonetheless, there is a continuing belief
that sharing the same obsession can be helpful in making a
relationship last. Along these lines, a single horsewoman can
expect an entirely different set of values to come into play for
her when it comes to romance:
"Can you believe it? She's dating a Vet!!"
(Said with the same envy as if you substituted the word "sheik,"
"next president," or "George Clooney" for the word "vet.")
The fact of the matter is, unless your
husband rides too, he'll never understand a major part of you.
Horses are soulmate companions to some very
intimate adventures: they are witnesses to moments of truth that
the rider would encounter nowhere else in her daily schedule, they
are involved and absolutely committed in moments when real courage
is needed, they are agreeable companions on lonely, soul-searching
walks in the woods and will probably share more incredible sunsets
with you than anyone else you'll ever know.
It's no wonder the bond between a woman and
her horse is singular and kindred.
Chapter Six
Riding: Its Ups and Downs
As it happens, there are one or two books on
the market that tell you how to ride a horse. They can be boiled
down to one word. One magic word that is the key to riding and
future equestrian happiness. If you know this word then the rest of
it will fall into place for you. Of all the books you could (and
should) read about how to ride, the thing you most need to glean
from them is how to perfect the art of balance.
All the brilliant leg positions, trés snazzy riding duds and renowned instructors will do nothing for you
if you can't balance yourself on the
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