The Relatable Rider

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

The dictionary defines progress as a movement toward a goal or higher stage. When I look at the two pictures taken about six months apart, I see the fruits of my horse’s and my labour.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

I have always been a fan of less is more when it comes to bits for my horses. When I worked at Spruce Meadows, we were only allowed to ride in fat snaffles, and it taught me early on how to solve problems without just bitting up.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

There is a tweet doing the rounds again in regards to what it costs to own a horse. And the answer to that question: It’s everything. Horses cost everything.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

I have been involved in horses in some shape or form since I was six years old. I turned it into a career and more importantly, a lifelong love, and nearly five years ago that lead me to a sales position at Horse Community Journals. When I started working here, I thought I was pretty open-minded when it came to horses.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

I don’t think it matters how old you are, you still want your parents to be proud of you. While my parents are not “horsey” people at all, they have been truly supportive of my love for the sport from the get-go, putting me in lessons as a child and driving me to and from the barn countless times over the years.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

Last fall I wanted to buy some new clippers and in an effort to help pay for them, decided to start clipping horses for other people again. I never actually did clip my own mare, deciding that clipping a three-year-old, barely broke horse was not in my best interest.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

I have never been a small person. When I used to run races I would joke that I was not built to run, but rather to carry heavy things and bear children. I’m sure my humour was in part to cover up my insecurities about my own body, its shape, and its size. I would like to think that I have come to terms with it, but in all honesty I know that this will likely be a lifelong battle.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

When I first bought my mare, Fire Foot MR5, as a two-year-old, getting on her back was the farthest thing from my mind. In fact, she actually stayed at the breeders for several months to continue to grow up and enjoy being a "kid." Even when I brought Fire home last May, the prospect of getting on her was no closer to the forefront of my mind.

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

The thing about letting go of a dream is that it never truly goes away. Looking back on that day in September, 2015, I was a total bundle of nerves and for good reason. I had just traveled across my home province of BC to “see a man about a horse.” Actually, it was to see a woman about a filly – a filly I had dreamed about long before she even existed

the relatable rider, horse blog, equine blog, april d. ray horse blog, canadian horse journal blog, horsejournals blog

As I sit here writing this post, I have what experience tells me is a pinched nerve in my neck. After an unfortunate car accident three years ago I have a great team of therapists – a chiropractor, massage therapist and acupuncturist – and still I have yet to make myself an appointment with any of them. Yet recently I took two hours off work to run back to the farm so my three-year-old horse could see a chiropractor for the first time.

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