The "Value" of a Horse

So, can a horse choose a person? Those of ushorse will burst his heart and soul for you! This same
"horsey" folks undoubtedly know the answer is yes!horse may not be one tenth as talented with another
How is it that when we are looking to buy a horse, weperson or rider, but is indeed, a horse of another color
innately seem to know when we've found "the one?" Iwith the one he's chosen!
believe it's because we somehow can sense whenI'd like to challenge all horse people to take the test.
our horse has "chosen" us.Take a closer look at the "value" of a horse next time
The bond between horse and human is a veryyou're in a position to purchase one. Look beyond the
powerful and unique relationship that only those who'vesurface, and take note of the horse's reaction to you.
experienced can truly appreciate and understand. ItAre you being chosen? If you feel this bond, take a
can, in fact, have a life-changing affect on someone.chance on a horse that logic would otherwise cause
Many horsemen are familiar with the famous quote byyou to walk away from. Give one in need a chance.
Sir Winston Churchill, "there is something about theDon't walk away simply because one is "older" than
outside of a horse that is good for the inside of ayou'd like, or is the shaggy, ugly duckling that's been
man." Now, my husband and other "non-horsey" folkforgotten and turned out to pasture. Don't just walk
would add to this, "and bad for the pocketbook"away because perfection is not in front of you. Here's
...sound familiar anyone? In their defense, it's hard toa secret, one of the most important "values" of a
understand the value of the horse-human bond withouthorse is the journey you take with a horse on the
ever experiencing it.quest for perfection! This journey is far more
Despite the "expense" of a horse "hobby," those of usrewarding than taking the "easy" way out and
lucky enough to experience this intense bond willchoosing a horse that's already "perfect" by usual
become better people because of it. "Deep pockets"standards.
become a second thought and easily justified whenNow I've been riding horses all of my life and I will tell
realizing in the "grand scheme of things" the invaluableyou from my own experience, that sometimes the
life lessons we learn from a horse we've grown closeugly duckling may very well turn out to be the beautiful
to. The value of this special relationship extends wellswan, and it's value worth far more than you'd ever
beyond superficial logic. The value of this relationshipimagined! I've had one such horse in my childhood
can change the very soul of a person for the better!which forever changed me for the better. I've also
Horses have the power to teach us the value ofexperienced another in adulthood which again
teamwork, discipline, dedication, loyalty, selflessness,emphasized to me the "value" of a horse bond.
trust, work-ethic, pride in accomplishing goals, listeningIronically, this horse was a give-away- a handicapped
skills, communication skills, patience, respect, conqueringhorse, which had only one good eye. A scraggly, older,
fear, and most importantly humility and love!little guy that no one would have given a second
Out of curiosity, I recently Google'd the value of athought to. This little angel, truly "chose" me. I can say
horse. What I found amazed me and inspired me towithout a doubt, that this horse loved me as much as
write this. I found the "non-horsey" definition...is possible for a horse! He helped heal me when I was
" They can help with people riding the horse to getill and showed me the way back to health. He gave
work done. They are also a good way ofme back my excitement and passion for life and for
transportation, also very small ponies can be used asthe future! I, in turn, helped "heal" him and bring him back
guide horses for the blind they also help withinto health, and fitness. Due to our bond, he blossomed
rehabilitating people who have been hurt. They used toand he was able to experience the love from a human
help plow land, before they had tractors." ....that he'd so obviously been searching for and craving.
Wow, how limited this is! Horses have so much moreAlways aware of his loss of sight in one eye, I truly
value than just what is on the surface. But then again, Inever noticed this while working with him. Never have I
guess the reason I'm able to recognize this is becauseexperienced such joy while riding as I did with this little
I've been "taught" by horses to look beyond theblind-eyed horse! We could go out in the open fields
surface. To find value in what others' would discard asand gallop with both of us enjoying and loving every
useless. I've been lucky enough to experience horsesingle minute of it. This little guy truly "Doctored" my
bonds with the type of horses that most wouldn't givesoul and will always hold a very special spot in my
a second thought to and pass off as useless.heart. No, I didn't show him, I didn't make money off of
What I've discovered that I wish to share with others ishim, I didn't really do anything with him other than enjoy
that truly, it's the most "useless" horses that can turnthe special time we spent together, I didn't even own
out to be the most priceless! The one's which canhim! But, I did love him! Because of our bond and his
have a lasting effect on one's life and be the"Choosing" me, my life's focus has been forever
motivating force behind success. The inspiration tochanged. I will never forget this bond and its value, and I
keep moving forward! The secret to "value" in a horsewill be forever grateful for it. So you see, the value of
is the bond between horse and human. If you find aeven a give-away, handicapped, scraggly, "over the hill"
horse who likes you, who chooses you, then thathorse, can truly be priceless!