I love horses and I trust them. But let me start from the very beginning. Ever since I was very little, I have loved animals and seen them as friends. I knew that when I grew up I wanted to work with them, because when they are near me I feel calm and happy.

I became interested in riding and started looking for riding centres. One day I came across Zdravets Horse Riding Centre, where a kind and respectful attitude towards horses comes first. I decided to visit, and that is where it all began.

I saw how much joy people and horses found in working together, and I loved it. Little by little I grew closer to the horses, and at one point I realised we were becoming friends. That meant we were beginning to trust each other. Once we had that, the joy was guaranteed.

I started riding with a bigger and bigger smile on my face. I could feel that the horse felt the same – happiness. Little by little I understood that he was beginning to respect me, and most importantly, that he did it because he wanted to and because he understood that I was his friend. We began to respect each other – me the horse and the horse me. From then on it was easy, because above all we were close. I began trying things that were new for me, and my friend watched me, knowing that whatever happened I would never harm him. We were building a bond. We allowed ourselves to understand and get to know each other’s character, and along with that we came to know each other’s feelings, souls and hearts. The horse let me into his heart, and I let him into mine. He taught me, above all, how to be a good person. People say “We keep learning as long as we live”, and I learned to be a better person thanks to animals.

Now I know that what matters is not training with force, but with the heart. I am a friend to animals, and thanks to them I have learned to love. That is the most precious lesson I could ever receive!!!

Daniela Asenova Grozdanova