Horses and Daughters

Happy 24th Birthday, Abigail

Because my daughter grew up with horses 

She has learned to learn on her own. 

She has had teachers that cannot speak, nor write, nor communicate beyond body language and reactions. 

She has had to learn to “read” her surroundings for both safe and unsafe objects, to look for hazards where others might only see a pretty meadow. 

She looks beyond appearances and trappings to see what is within.

Because my daughter grew up with horses
she has self-esteem and an engaging personality. 

She can talk to anyone she meets with confidence, because she has to express herself to her horse with more than words. She knows the satisfaction of controlling and teaching a 1000 pound animal that will yield willingly to her gentle touch and ignore the more forceful and inept handling of those stronger than she is. 

She holds herself with poise and professionalism in the company of those 

far older than herself.

Because my daughter grew up with horses
she has learned to plan ahead.

She knows that choices made today can affect what happens five years down the road. She knows that you cannot care for and protect your investments without savings to fall back on. She knows the value of land and buildings. And that caring for your vehicle can mean the difference between easy travel or being stranded on the side of the road with a four horse trailer on a hot day.

Because my daughter grew
up with horses 
she has learned that color, sex, and age do not establish a horse’s, or a person’s intelligence, ability or value. 

When I look at what she has learned and what it will help her become,                                                                                   I can honestly say that I haven’t “wasted” a penny on providing her with experiences that include horses.

I only wish that all children had the same opportunities to learn these lessons from horses before setting out on the road to adulthood.