Not to rant on those that don’t know horse people, however this has been spinning in my mind all day. We all walk by people with various styles of clothing on. You have the rocker that loves to party at all expense and the prep that is always happy, even on a cloudy day. Then there are the jocks that only have one thing on their mind. There are the gangsters who have never heard of a little thing called a belt and then you have the horse people. These people tend to wear their wranglers with a huge belt buckle, as do I, may either wear their hat or a ball cap and tend to lean towards tucked in button down plaid shirts. Now I am no fashionista or anything, but I would say that’s a pretty cool get up! If there is one thing though that gets under my skin the most, it’s when you see those people that you know are not in any way country wearing those fake hats, hoochie denim shorts, belt buckle that looks ridiculous and boots that look like the heel would snap as soon as they tried to get on a horse! They are what’s called “the wannabes!” We all know a few here and there and quite frankly, I don’t think they will ever go away. However, for all you wannabes out there, here is a list of the top ten things about horse people that you should know.
1. They don’t like drama!
Really, honestly they believe in leaving the drama at the door or in their case, at the barn door! There really is no need for it. Can’t we all just co-exist with each other? If people would just accept the differences in other people, the world would be a heck of a lot better place.
2. Say what you need to say, when you need to say it!
Horse people have no problem with the truth. If you have a problem with something just say it. Not only is it unhealthy to bottle things up, but it also shows that you choose to run away from your problems. However, horse people are very knowledgeable people when it comes to horses and can smell a rat from a mile away. Short story, I once had a friend who told me that she got a job training horses and I honestly told her, “I honestly would not even let you near a horse, much less step into a barn. You have no prior experience and whoever thought it was ok to hire you must not know what they are getting into.” I think it is obvious enough that I didn’t like her all that much. They also are very opinionated. So if they don’t like something, guaranteed they will say it whether it’s good or not!
3. They care more about their horse than anything else!
In a nutshell, horse people are the “mess with me all you want, mess with my horse and we got some problems” type. I could easily agree with that saying. I mean our horses are our pride and glory. We horse people go to great lengths to insure to our horses comfort and safety. Even as far as spending thousands of dollars on them. They are like that shiny new car that you polish to keep beautiful. I put my horse at such a hierarchy that I would give up so much for her. For someone to say to a horse person that his or her horse is not as good, as beautiful or even that riding horses is not a sport is just asking for a mouthful.
4. They don’t like it when people try to copy them.
This goes back to the fake hat and hoochie shorts. For crying out loud people, whatever happened to being your own person? For all those who do this sort of thing, at least have the decency to explore the style. The country style is not just a look; it’s a way of life. So maybe you all should do your research before you go and find the trashiest clothes or a belt buckle that you didn’t even earn. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, “you have to earn your spurs?” Also just because Daisy Duke goes and cuts up her jeans so high that her butt almost falls out, doesn’t mean that us country folk do! Not to mention those five dollar boots off the Walmart shelf that Vogue says are country! Have some practicality here guys! We are more than just what a magazine says we are!
5. Horse people put hard work on a whole other level.
Imagine you live on a horse farm and every morning you have to get up at five to get ready. Sometime before the bus comes, you have to feed and water seven horses. You manage not to get all dirty before you leave. When you get back you notice your horse is sick and you have to stay up with him or her during the night to make sure that they don’t get sicker. Not only is that dedication, but it’s also hard work. There are loads of people out there that only have to worry about themselves and their families, however horse people have all of that plus the responsibilities of caring for what their horses need too. Horses are like having kids. They have lots of needs other than just being ridden and fed. Every six to eight weeks they need to have their hooves trimmed or shoed (if needed.), every few months they need to be checked by a vet and their owners do vaccines that they need. So things like dewormer, West Nile, etc is all done by the owner. The list goes on and on.
6. Have some common knowledge about horses!
For all who didn’t notice, horses are big animals. At least have some common knowledge about them to stay safe. Things like not running when around them, being calm and more. We really do not like having to worry about what would happen to someone around their horse. Not to mention, it’s a liability. I have known too many people that have ended up getting really hurt because of their foolish actions. But also for some instances, recognize that it maybe something you did and not the horse. Just because you fell off a horse, doesn’t make it the horse’s fault. Always look deep within yourself before blaming others.
7. No two horses are the same.
Much like people, every horse is different. Never assume that when you get on a horse that he/she will be like the one you rode last time.
8. Just because you have ridden horses for a little bit doesn’t mean you know everything.
This one really gets under my skin. I have known people that have thought they were the best rider out there and thought they could do some very advanced stuff. When really, they don’t know squat. Take for instance this guy that I used to know at my old barn. We will call him guy B. B thought he was just the best horseman out there, but here is the catch, the last time he rode a horse was when he was about 17 years old. He is now in his late 40’s. Well his daughter was a student there and was becoming a pretty good rider, but still considered a beginner. Long story short, this guy thought he was Mr. Hotshot and bought two untrained mares, thinking he could train them all by himself. A few months later he learned the extent of his foolishness when he tried to bring one of the mares into the arena with a stallion and a gelding. Well surprise, surprise the stallion went to attack the gelding for the mare and the staff person working with the stallion ended up going to the hospital for internal bleeding. That was enough to get guy B and his daughter kicked out of the barn for good! It just goes to show, if you are going to do something stupid, don’t get other people involved. Do your homework people.
9. It takes a lot for a horse person to really trust.
Maybe it’s just me on this one, but one thing I have found about horse people is that it is hard for them to really trust others. They treat people like their horses; they have to earn their trust. The more time they spend with the person, the more they get to trusting them. However if you ever do anything to break their trust, you have to start all over. Not to make it sound shallow, but it’s true and it’s not always true for all horse people. Why do you think that girls that are into horses often don’t have a boyfriend or do not seem boy obsessed? Well, it’s more than just them preferring something with four legs and a whinny…..
10. Getting hurt and dirty is just another part of the job, not a big deal!
When you work with animals that pretty much live most of their lives outdoors, it’s bound that you will get dirty. Fact of life. You know the saying, “if you get down and dirty with the dogs, all you will get is fleas”? Well for horse people its like, “if you roll with the horses, you will get dirty and like it!” That’s why God made getting dirty clothes. I even find that the next day after working with Daisy, her horse smell is still under my fingernails. Sounds nasty, but to horse people it’s the best perfume. Surprisingly though, us horse people have the magic power to work with horses and an hour later be totally spotless with makeup on! How do we do this you ask? Easy, we are just talented like that! Also horse people are like immune to pain, LITERALLY! I can agree with this because not only have I seen it, I am that way. However, I think it has partially to do with how you are raised. Like when I was little, my mom toughened me up and I learned that there is no need to cry unless it REALLY hurts. I have even known people that have broken bones because of horses and they just walked off like nothing happened. Funny story, so one time my trainer and I are taking a trail ride and my horse (not Daisy) just bolts on the trail. Well she swerved into a woodsy part that was covered in all kinds of sticks. I was honestly surprised I didn’t poke my eye out. Anyway somehow both feet are out of the stirrups, hand is on the horn and I am half way on running through a wooded area. My horse then comes out of the woods, my trainer finally catches up and says, “Just let go!” So I did and surprise, fell right on my face. Later on that day my trainer let me try out her new horse and we were going around the arena when he tripped on both fronts. Just when his head was coming back up, the whole right side of my face smacked him between the ears. My front teeth were almost knocked out. I hopped off to make sure he was ok, not even thinking about the pain. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized that I had blood all over my pants from being dragged in the woods and the whole right side of my face was swollen so much that I had a fat lip. Needless to say, there is no way you can stay clean around horses and you can’t be a sissy!
All in all, there are basic things about horse people that city slickers should understand. If they can understand these then I think that city people and horse people could better get along.
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