Buying My First Horse

 expensive. The list went on and I got to the point where I felt defeated and close to giving up on buying a horse at all because it would never be the right horse for me. I was even told: All you see is a horse with four legs and a tail; I see much more. I was terrified of offending and upsetting these people.

I also realized how many other young equestrians must feel this pressure when purchasing their first horse, especially young women. I wondered if a young man would get the same treatment. I was so torn down by it all that I thought myself not even worthy of owning a horse. 

When I finally announced to the world that I’d bought my own first horse, on my own, I was again beaten down by the people I chose to listen to. I was called “a silly little girl” for paying the price I had paid, and the horse’s behaviour was criticized. So, after that lesson of being lectured and crying, I made the decision to take back the sport that brings me so much joy! I decided to block out the noise and listen to my gut. I would never in a million years call the horse I bought a mistake. I found a new trainer/mentor to work with me, one who adores my horse as much as I do, and I rediscovered my love for riding.

I had no idea what I was going into when buying my first horse, and I was also shocked to learn how many young people are treated this way when buying. The horse world can be filled with people who will do anything to tear you down just to make themselves feel more intelligent than you. But at the same time, I also found some of the very best people and my very best four-legged friend, and I learned to believe in myself.