"Why do you have a horse?"

It's a question every horse person has been asked at some point. It usually comes with a tilt of the head, a raised eyebrow, and a long list of follow-up questions: Aren't they really expensive? Doesn't that take up all your time? What are you competing for? Wait—do you still take lessons? Do you even ride?

But the scrutiny doesn't stop there. Surprisingly, some of the most judgmental commentary can come from within our own community:

• "She only shows once a year—what's the point?"
• "She only ever rides in lessons!"
• "That horse is old and useless. Why keep him?"
• "They go to shows every week. Is it really about the horse?"

These kinds of questions—whether from the outside or inside—can take the joy right out of horse ownership. They reduce the profound connection between human and horse to a checklist of achievements, ribbons, or dollars spent. But the truth is, none of those things defines what it means to be a horse person.

The Heart of It All

There is a feeling that lives in the smell of a horse. A feeling that comes when your hand brushes down their neck or when their breath fogs in the winter air beside yours. There's a calm in mucking stalls, a thrill in galloping through a field, and an unmatched trust when a 1,200-pound animal follows your lead just because it trusts you.

These are not things that can be quantified. They can't be explained to someone looking in from the outside. And they certainly can't be judged by a scoreboard or a training schedule.

We are horse people because the horse calls to something deep within us—something primal, something peaceful, something powerful. Whether we show, trail ride, groom, teach, learn, or sit on a fence rail watching our horse graze, we are united by that connection.

The Pressure to Perform

It's no secret that horses require time, money, and effort. But even when we're willing to give those things, we're still often expected to "prove" why we do it.

• Compete, or you're not serious.
• Win, or why bother?
• Competitive rider, do you even care about your horse?
• Train, or what's the point?
• Retire your horse, you're wasting money.
• Keep riding an older horse, and you're limiting yourself.

These expectations can be exhausting, leaving you to feel like you need to justify your passion. For every competitive rider chasing national titles, there's another horse person who gets just as much joy out of a quiet walk around the arena. For every child dreaming of Pony Finals, another kid lights up brushing their favorite school pony once a week.

And all are equally valid. Equally "horse people."

Horses for a Lifetime

The beautiful thing about being in the horse world is that your goals can—and should—change over time.

You might start out as a pony-mad kid, become a nervous adult amateur, then find yourself re-inspired at 40. You may go from barn rat to breeder, from eventer to endurance rider, from daily rider to occasional visitor.

You might be in a season of life where lessons are your only barn time. Or you're at shows every weekend. Maybe your horse is retired, and you enjoy hand-grazing and caring for them in their twilight years.

None of these paths is more "right" than another. They're just different chapters in the same story.

There's No Wrong Way to Love a Horse

Let's take a moment to celebrate the diversity of this world we love.

• The weekend lesson student who can't afford a horse but loves their barn family deeply.
• The retiree who saved up to finally buy their first horse in their 60s.
• The kid who lives for after-school rides on a steady lesson pony.
• The trainer who gives their life to developing horse and rider partnerships.
• The trail rider who finds solace in their horse, which serves as both therapy and escape.
• The show rider with big goals, long hours, and a deep respect for the animals that carry them.

There are so many ways to be in the horse world. So many ways to love a horse, care for them, and give them a meaningful, joyful life.

A "lazy lesson horse" might be the reason a nervous child finds their courage. An "old and useless" gelding might be someone's heart horse, companion, and teacher. A once-a-week lesson may be the brightest part of someone's week. Every one of these scenarios matters.

And every one of these horses matters.

A Community, Reimagined

What if, instead of questioning each other's choices, we honored the bond we all share?

What if we celebrated every kind of horse person—not just the ones at the top of the leaderboard? What if we understood that love doesn't always look like blue ribbons or perfect form, but instead looks like showing up, week after week, because your horse is waiting for you? What if competitive riders were not consistently criticized for forcing their horses to work? What if we let go of the idea that there's one "right" way to do this?

Imagine a horse world where curiosity replaces judgment. Where we learn from each other's different experiences and support each other through our challenges. Where showing up for your horse in any capacity is seen as something worthy of pride, not scorn.

Why Do You Have a Horse?

The answer is simple and complex all at once. It's not about money, ribbons, or even riding.

It's about the way your heart settles in your chest when you see them.

It's about the quiet moments, the hard days, the early mornings, and the little wins.

It's about love—and if you know, you know.

So, here's to every horse person, in every walk of life. Here's to the endless ways we show up for these incredible animals, and the countless ways they show up for us.