To the Horse Show You’ll Go!

Most of us have read Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! It’s a timeless confidence-builder—the message being not just, “You can do this!” but also, “Sometimes, you will doubt you can do this, but you can do this.” We all have days where everything goes smoothly. Except when you don’t. Because sometimes, you won’t. And that’s okay.

Emily Bogenschutz lives in Texas and is a freelance writer,
recent hunter-turned-jumper, and professional sneaker of saddle pads
into the washing machine. Follow her on Twitter: @EJBog.

10 years ago

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MINDY says:
September 3, 2015 at 9:46 pm
This is so moving, I owned a gray Arab-Saddlebred. Countless spooks and falls I took but when the kids back in 4H would say "sell your stupid Arab and get a 1/4 horse" I would just tell them not a chance I have a heart, he is my child until one of our's end" No we could not trail ride or hunter hack, but a lady named Sam said to give her a chance. She knew where he belonged Saddle seat riding and we blew the rest away. To this day I still cry over 20 years later, I have a motorcycle in the shape of a horse now, gray of course (lol) it's a memorial to him and my dad too he got me that Arab and taught me to love in a way most will never know unconditional.
EJB says:
September 4, 2015 at 10:05 am
Mindy - it's great to hear your patience was rewarded! Frustration is usually temporary, but tough (or... not quite yet "figured out") horses are tough, and the urge to feel bad about yourself when you're struggling is strong. The safety of horse and rider is paramount, so there's nothing wrong with the occasional gut check about whether you're in over your head. But any relationship has its slumps--and practicing powering through them is as important as practicing equitation. And, if I do say so myself, often worth the agony. Sounds like you had great success, and wish you lots more.
downunderlover says:
September 5, 2015 at 11:33 am
This is so true! I have those days most of the time. I'll have great days training my horses,then the next day ,BOOM!, they are dragging me across the 10 acre pasture,rearing,bolting,eyes wide as Texas, we are both sweating,out of breath, we stop,rest,go back to the exercise, time out for the day,go back the next day, it's all hugs and kisses, doing the groundwork so beautifully, I wonder what happened the day before, but I realize horses are just like humans we all have bad day's. like this article has said. like my mentor has said before, Some days you'll go out to do groundwork/riding exercises everything went good that day,and you feel like God created the best horse trainer in the world,[you], then the next day, it happens, everything goes wrong,so you walk back to the house crying,doubting yourself, feel like heck. but it'll all work out. and you will always know that your horse loves you unconditionally and would never try to kill you, like it seems sometimes(; 100% well done on this article!!!
a says:
September 6, 2015 at 6:43 pm
haha, so cute!
PKL says:
September 10, 2015 at 5:43 am
That was so funny.