10/09/2024
Keep having the conversations and the changes will gradually follow. 😉😍
A conversation overheard:
A woman approached the PTC table at back-to-school night. She had been recognized by a fellow parent.
"Hi, I heard you have horses. My daughter has been wanting to get back into riding lessons. She loves horses." the parent seated behind the table said.
The woman nodded, "Yes, I have two horses, but I don't ride them. They're in sanctuary."
The parent behind the table looked surprised. "Really? Why don't you ride them?"
She explained, "Well, I used to be a horse trainer, but I realized the horses actually do just fine without all that training. In fact, they seem to like me a lot more now that I'm not constantly trying to tell them what to do."
The seated parent furrowed her brow, "Huh, I would've thought the horses would enjoy the activity and attention."
The woman smiled, "That's a common assumption, but the truth is, a lot of horses don't really like being ridden, even if they've been trained for it. They have their own preferences and ways of living that don't always align with what we think they should enjoy."
The parent considered this. "So your horses are happier just being themselves in the sanctuary?"
"Absolutely," she affirmed. "They get to live freely, without having to conform to human expectations. And I get to enjoy their company without constantly trying to make them do things they don't want to do. It's a win-win, really."
The parent nodded, "That's really interesting. I'll have to think about that when it comes to getting my daughter back into riding lessons. Maybe there's a different way we could connect her with horses that's better for everyone."
The woman placed a hand on the parent's arm. "I'm happy to share more about my experience, if you'd like. There are so many wonderful ways to enjoy horses without riding them."
The parent smiled, "I'd really appreciate that. This has given me a lot to think about."
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