Anyone can say “Hey, I went riding today!”, but only a few can say “The horse I rode today is my friend!”.

Everyone has friends. We all know that people have different characters and that each person needs a different approach. It is the same with horses. For a person and a horse to become friends, the person needs to understand horses – to get to know their psyche, their instincts and their whole philosophy.

Perhaps that is the best place to start. Horses are very sensitive animals. They feel fear, curiosity, joy, love and even attachment. To connect with them, we need to become one with them, so that their emotions become ours. We need to show them understanding and support so that they can trust us (and we can trust them). We need to be the leader of their herd, and then they will follow us always and everywhere. Then, and only then, can a horse and a person become friends – even more, they can become one whole: the strength and power of the horse and the mind of the person.

This process takes time. It calls for great patience and understanding, respect and support. Because once you have such a friend, they will be by your side forever. However exaggerated that may sound, it is the truth. I am not sure this is the right place to tell this story, but I really want to share it, and it shows just how much truth lies behind my words.

Once, while I was out walking with a lovely young horse, my foot got caught in something (I don’t remember exactly what) and I fell. At that very moment the horse noticed that I was no longer following the path and stopped to wait for me. I did not get up straight away, because I had hurt my leg in the fall. Then the horse leaned down, sniffed me and rested its head exactly where it hurt. I don’t think I need to continue the story – I hope I have shown what friendship between a person and a horse is: even the pain is shared.

And as I said… only a few set out on this path, and even fewer reach the end… But is there an end?

Maria Blagoeva, a friend of horses http://www.zdravets.bg