Today, I’m going to talk about how I got into this whole “arazi horse” thing. It all started a few months ago when I was just scrolling through my usual stuff online. I kept seeing these beautiful pictures of horses, and I thought, “Hey, why not give it a shot?” I’ve always liked animals, but I never really thought about owning a horse or even riding one.
So, the first thing I did was hit up a local stable. You know, one of those places where they have horses and offer riding lessons. I figured I needed to learn the basics before I could even think about getting my own horse. I signed up for some beginner classes, and let me tell you, it was a whole new world.
The first few lessons were all about getting comfortable around the horses. We learned how to approach them, how to put on a halter, and how to lead them around. It’s not as easy as it looks! These animals are big, and they have their own minds. I remember one time, I was trying to lead this horse named Bella, and she just wouldn’t budge. Turns out, she was just being stubborn. The instructor had to show me how to be a bit more assertive without scaring her.
Then came the actual riding part. It was a little scary at first, getting up on this huge animal and trying to stay balanced. But once I got the hang of it, it was amazing. There’s something really special about the feeling of riding a horse, the way they move, and the connection you develop with them. It’s not just about sitting there; you have to learn how to use your body to communicate with the horse, to tell it what you want it to do. It’s like learning a new language, but without words.
- I had to learn how to sit properly, which means keeping my back straight but relaxed, my heels down, and my hands steady on the reins.
- We started with walking, then moved on to trotting, which is a bit faster and bouncier. It took me a while to get used to the rhythm, but once I did, it felt great.
- Cantering was the next step, and that was even more exciting. It’s faster than trotting, and it feels like flying. I was a little nervous at first, but my instructor was really supportive and helped me through it.
Besides the riding lessons, I also started learning about horse care. You can’t just ride them and forget about everything else. Horses need a lot of care and attention. Feeding them the right food, making sure they get enough exercise, and keeping them clean are all super important. And, of course, they need regular check-ups from the vet to make sure they’re healthy. This includes vaccinations and taking care of their teeth. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it.
After a few months of lessons and learning about horse care, I felt like I was ready to take the next step. I started looking for a horse to lease. Leasing is like renting a horse. You don’t own it, but you get to ride it and take care of it as if it were your own. It’s a good way to get more experience before actually buying a horse. I found a beautiful mare named Luna, and we’ve been together ever since.
So, that’s my story about how I got into this whole “arazi horse” thing. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned so much, not just about horses, but about myself too. I’ve learned to be patient, to be responsible, and to be more in tune with nature. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
