Riding horses and your inner child
Finding Joy with Horses: Connecting with Your Inner Child
Riding horses is an experience that goes beyond the thrill of speed or the grace of movement—it is a connection to something deeply rooted in our childhood: pure joy. As we sit atop a horse, feeling the gentle sway of its stride and the strength of its muscles beneath us, we are transported back to simpler times. It's as if the act of riding awakens the carefree spirit of our inner child, allowing us to experience life with unfiltered wonder and curiosity once again.
In many ways, horses reflect our emotions. Their sensitivity to our moods and energy makes riding them a deeply emotional experience. When we are relaxed, happy, and in tune with the world around us, they mirror that feeling. I often say, “Your joy is your horse’s joy.” A content and joyful rider brings peace to the horse, creating an unspoken bond that transcends words—a silent conversation of trust, understanding, and shared pleasure.
This connection between horse and rider is grounded in the present moment. Horses, like children, live in the now. They are not weighed down by past mistakes or future worries. Riding encourages us to adopt the same mindset, bringing us back to a space where we can delight in the wind against our faces, the earthy scent of the stables, or the rhythmic beat of hooves on the ground. It’s in these small moments that we reconnect with the simplicity of life, finding joy in what is often overlooked.
Through this partnership, we learn that joy doesn’t always come from grand achievements or elaborate plans. Sometimes, it’s found in the simplicity of a ride through a quiet forest, the warmth of the sun on our faces, or the gentle nuzzle of a horse seeking affection. Our inner child reminds us of this—the joy of being in the moment, appreciating the small things, and sharing a genuine bond with a creature that feels our emotions as deeply as we do.
When you ride with joy, your horse feels it. There’s a harmony, a shared rhythm between the two of you. That mutual joy creates a moment of magic—a space where both human and horse find peace in each other’s company.
To celebrate this connection to joy, I’d like to share the poem I wrote, which echoes the simple beauty of experiencing joy in its purest form:
The Joy of Being
Joy is a breath in the morning light,
A child’s laughter in soft sunlight.
It’s the wind that dances, free and wild,
In the heart of every dreaming child.
Joy is a whisper, soft but clear,
In the things we love, in those we hold dear.
It’s the warmth of a hand, the gleam in an eye,
A connection unspoken, a silent sigh.
It’s found in the rhythm of horse and stride,
A ride through the fields, with nothing to hide.
In the simple moments, the quiet, the still,
Joy is a choice, an act of will.
So chase it not in distant skies,
But in the now, where beauty lies.
For joy is here, it's yours, it's mine,
In every small, sweet, sacred sign.
Riding, for many, is a return to that childlike sense of wonder—an opportunity to rediscover the beauty of the present moment. Your horse, feeling your joy, shares in it, and together you create a partnership where the smallest things become the greatest treasures. In this way, horses not only carry us physically but also emotionally, helping us reconnect with the simple joy of being alive.
