What Does Horse Ownership Mean to You?

What does horse ownership mean to you?

For some, it is the idea of owning horses more than the actual connection with them.  Oh, they like their horses well enough, but don't spend much in the way of time building a deep, connected partnership.  They like to tell people they have horses because at least where I live, it is a pretty cool thing to be able to say that.

For others, horses are a hobby.  Riding is a sport to them.  They spend lots of time with their horse but only to ride them.  If they aren't riding, they don't go out and see them or spend any time on the ground with them.  They are usually very good riders but tend to pay others to do the day to day care and regular maintenance required to keep a horse in good shape.

Then there are people for whom horses are their passion.  These people don't have horses just to ride them, they have horses because they truly love them.  Riding is important but only part of it.  Sometimes they just come out to spend time with their horse, grooming them, doing groundwork or letting them hand graze.  

For some, horses are their livelihood and not only do they have the passion but they have a vested interest in ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of their herd.

For some it is also a great social outlet.  Like-minded people sharing an interest and going to shows and horse related events together or even just a beautiful day riding out on the trails and sharing your training progress and victories or even sometimes your battles.

Others like to take on unwanted horses or horses who have issues, spending the time that it takes to rehabilitate them and giving them the time they need to recover from their issues whether they are physical or emotional.  Some people devote their entire lives to saving them.  I commend you for it is a very difficult road full of sadness but there is also the rewards.  

I believe myself to be a combination of a few of the above and I am sure that many of you reading this are as well.

This is not a post on right or wrong, simply an observation that I have made from my many years with horses.