FREE REIN
I don’t know about you, but I’ve loved horses as long as I can remember. Maybe even before that. I’ve ridden and cared for plenty of horses over the years and been fortunate to call a few my own. There’s something so special about the connection shared with a horse that’s different than any other creature. It never fails to amaze me that these large, majestic animals so symbolic of freedom and power follow us willingly, trust us to care for them, allow us ride on their backs, and form a relationship with us. This month, we talked to three equine behavior experts to get their insights on what it means to bond with a horse, and the best way to build that connection. (Be sure to read “An Unbreakable Bond”, pg. 54.)
My deepest bond was with my fi rst horse, Teddy. He’ll probably always be my “heart horse.” Of course Ted was special, but I’m sure the amount of time we spent together every day helped make our connection so close. I handled the majority of Ted’s daily care, and because pasture turnout was not available in our suburban neck of the woods, it was up to me to provide him with adequate exercise and enrichment outside of his pen. Although he had neighboring horses and equine pals we rode with routinely, we were essentially our own cozy herd of two.