Somewhere between my wonderful 20’s and now, I have lost the ability to control “my” time. Let me be more specific with that to avoid confusion. I never have been one to set time aside for just me. You could put me in the category defined as workaholics. Whether I am helping my husband run our business or running after my 4 and 5 year olds I am always on the go. Oh, I almost forgot to mention my 16 year old son, permit awaiting drivers license, and my 76 year old father. Where does “my” time fit into this picture? Well, it hasn’t for years up until now.
Growing up we always had a stable full of horses. This has always been my dad’s passion. I would ride every now and then, but never fully let myself enjoy these four-legged creatures. I moved away from home, became married with children and turned into a person that most people would just soon not be around. Not that my life was not enjoyable, but it was full of tension and stress. During this time my dad began teaching my son how to ride the horses. I figured this would be a phase and that my son would soon become bored with it as I did. However, 9 years later my son is still full of passion about horses and we still have a stable full of them.
It wasn’t until my dad had a stroke 3 years ago that I truly felt on the verge of a nervous breakdown. There was no “my” time before and certainly not now. My dad could not longer take care of the horses and help my son at the stables. What I thought was going to be an added chore to my to-do list turned into the best therapy I could possibly ask for. I began riding again and understood why my son loves it so much. Horses are not judgmental and could care less about my need for self-improvement. They seem to soak up all of my stress and anxiety and let me be myself. They are awaiting my arrival when I come home from work and almost appear happy that I am taking time to be with them.
There is a feeling that I cannot explain when being around our horses. It is comparable to an adrenaline rush filled with happiness. The smell of the leather saddles and just the stables themselves are like a comfort blanket that hides me from the high paced world I live in. They have helped me overcome fears that I refused to admit I had and I did not have a bill to pay afterwards!
Horses are intelligent, beautiful and potentially dangerous creatures. They require and deserve respect and have the ability to reciprocate love like no other. Needless to say I no longer need the services of my therapist and only wish that I had spent less time in the doctors office and more time at the barn!!
Melody Myers
Small Business Owner
Equestrian Enthusiast
Mother of 3
Tags: counseling, Equestrian, Horses, self help, therapy
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