Growth & Gratitude

I came across a post that says, "Gentle reminder that each ride is one less that you'll have with your horse. Praise them, be proud of them. Make every ride count, end on a good note, untack with a smile on your face--whether you screwed up every distance or not. Love your horses unconditionally."   

When we’re young and riding horses, we don’t typically consider the long-term relationship we have with each horse. It isn’t until we get older that we acknowledge the necessity of putting the horse first before ourselves, the growth in our riding, and the space between where we once began and are now. My Percheron x Thoroughbred cross mare, Molly, has been with me since I was fifteen. Thirteen years of love, viewing life between those ears. She has seen every phase of mine from eighth grade to college, and now my late twenties--oof, typing that out is wild. From 4-H shows to Pony Club Rallies at the Kentucky Horse Park, we’ve shared so many sunrises and sunsets together. Molly has been my shoulder to cry on during the difficult times, a gem that taught me to jump higher, and how to always look up. If I ever had a bad day, you could find Molly and I galloping around a field, throwing caution to the wind.   

Throughout college, horses took the back burner, and I was forced to take a break due to health issues between my lifelong Crohn’s Disease and later diagnosed Endometriosis, on top of school stress. Slowly but surely I found my strength and way back to the barn. 

Molly and I aren’t training to compete anywhere, but rather to continue learning about one another. That’s the beautiful thing about horses, you never stop learning with them. She gifted me with such happiness and pure joy throughout my younger years, that it is the least I can do for her nowadays. She's twenty-four now, and I am cherishing every moment. Every ride, I decide on a small, obtainable goal and ensure we end on a good note. Most days we spend hacking around riding bareback, bridleless, or chasing the sun in a field.  

Hitting the pause button and returning gave me the chance to learn that there’s so much more to horses than just competing them, we should listen to them and love them, just as they have us. I wish I could go back and apply this to every horse I have had or spent time with. Life doesn’t last forever, and I want to be thankful for even the smallest moments… the warm sunlight surrounding Molly as she grazes, recognizing the ways she has lent me her heart and swift speed, the glimmer of her kind brown eyes in the summer, and her unwavering stance beside me always.  

May we change, may we always notice the growth, and hold gratitude every time we have the view between the ears. 

Written by,

Marlena Jenkins