Being a horse owner is one of the greatest joys in life, but for the many, many highs we experience, there are certainly a number of lows.
Horses are great levellers and they teach us the importance of having patience, compassion and a sense of humour.
Here are a few times that most equestrians will have been humbled during their journey in and out of the saddle.
1. When you fall off
Nothing brings you back down to earth faster, quite literally, than a fall, especially a silly one where nothing is bruised, aside from your ego.
2. When your horse won’t be caught
There’s something hilarious about watching a grown adult scurry after a horse around a field trying to coax it into a headcollar… unless it is you who is doing the chasing.
3. When you have a “could have been avoided” tack malfunction
Your saddle slipping as you clamber on to your horse because you didn’t check your girth, even though that’s the first lesson you’re ever taught. Or, the shame when someone kindly points out that you have your bit on upside down…
4. When you forget to pack essential items into the lorry
Why is it so embarrassing to forget something so important, like your girth or your riding boots, so you have to beg or borrow from a fellow competitor so you can actually compete?
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5. When your horse refuses at a small jump
All is forgiven if your horse is a youngster just learning the ropes, but why do older horses with form like to pop in a sneaky stop in the warm-up, before jumping clear?
6. When your horse won’t load to go home
He practically jumps into the lorry to go to a competition, but after the action is over, he’s reluctant to return. “He never usually does this,” you say, but no one believes you.
7. When you can’t fit in your riding gear
If you’ve been maintaining your condition better than your horse, you either have to get started on a get fit campaign, or buy a whole new riding wardrobe…
8. When you check your bank balance
So you think you have finally managed to control your finances, but then your card is declined as you try to buy a meal deal – that might have something to do with that new rug, numnah and supplement you bought your horse last week…
9. When you look at competition photos
Granted, you never had you and your horse down as a 10/10 combination in the looks department, but you were truly horrified at the pictures of you both taken at your most recent event.
10. When you fall over in a muddy field
Usually, when you’re running late or have a very important non-horsey meeting or appointment to attend.
11. When your precious, darling horse kicks or bites you
You clearly missed the warning signs that proceeded the need for your horse to escalate their behaviour to these levels.
12. When you read the judge’s comments
“Lovely horse with lots of potential, but he was obviously feeling a little cheeky today” or “nice moments, when he wasn’t squealing and actually had all four feet on the floor”.
13. When someone asks you to pick a winner at the races
Just because I own a horse does not mean I am capable of choosing a good bet. Like you, I’ll be putting my money on the one with the best name.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
