“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” Old English Proverb/My Life Story
When I was growing up, anytime I heard the term “If wishes were horses…” I was totally perplexed. If wishes were horses? My wishes were horses. All of them. Every time I blew out a birthday candle from age 5 until almost adulthood, it was a horse wish I exhaled. A velvety muzzle pressed to my cheek, the smell of leather, the pounding of hoofbeats on the ground beneath me, I was filled with desire for these sensations that I recalled from all the school horses I had ridden. All the wish-horses, all my lovely wish horses.
One of the first things Denis bought for me, once he started earning enough to pay off our debts and support us, was a horse. That horse was Gabriel, who is now in his 25th year and going strong. Here he is with Mark. Gabriel is the chestnut (red) horse:
I often meet parents of young girls who get all dreamy-eyed in the presence of horses. The parents lament the fact that they just can’t fit a horse into their budget or their lifestyle. They are sorry that they can’t fulfill this dream, which is more like an obsession for their child. I always tell them that, for me, having to wait for my dream has made it much more precious. My horses are beautiful, almost divine incarnations of my wish horses, and I never take them for granted. I don’t own any expensive jewelry, I really don’t spend a lot on clothes. Horses are my indulgence. Who could wish for more?
Here I am wearing Zidane on my hand, like a ring:
Zidane
All tucked in
Mark approves this blog
I’m with you Ann. (I started riding at age 9 and never looked back.) While I think many people enjoy seeing and watching horses from afar, not as many want to spend time with them up close, or necessarily understand the lifelong obsession with them that some of us experience. Along those lines, I just read a terrific essay that another friend shared yesterday about being a “horse person” titled “The Horse, Explained.” I thought you and your readers might enjoy it: http://thehairpin.com/2012/04/the-horse-explained/
Leslie I just read the post in your link. SO great! Thanks.
So well said. All of the great things in my life and my most important friendships have come to me thru a love for horses.
These pieces were both enlightening and absorbing; this from an individual with no experience whatsoever with horses.
Hey Ann,
))
I remember Gabriel from this awsome summer 1998
He was huge and velvety, and he did not aged a bit! And I remember little Devin riding a pony… Now my own girls are riding their little stalions, dreaming of their own. And collecting pennies in a piggy bank – they call it horse – money
It is important to follow through with your lifelong dreams and callings. I feel the way you do about horses about dance. My whole childhood I wanted to take dance classes but my parents never would allow it. So as soon as I could pay for them I started taking all of the classes that I could, ballet, modern, African, which led to my true love of middle eastern dance. I have been belly dancing seriously for 14 years now. It keeps me sane and healthy and I love that the more I learn, the less I know. There have been times when it seemed like an extravagance that we couldnt afford, but luckily I too married a guy who wants me to have/ do the thing that makes me the most whole, and it has always been a priority for us.
I find that the older I get, the more I realize the importance of continuing to learn. Whether that means improving skills or learning completely new things. It has been the single most important thing that has helped with depression for me.
Agreed. I am trying to instill that in my kids as well… Learning is not just for the school day or years. Learning is for life. That is one of the things I enjoy about your writing, that you discover new things, like kayaking, and don’t think, oh I don’t know how to do that, you think, not only can I do it but I will excell at it. I do the same thing, to the amusement, ( or annoyance )of all around me. Life is too short to be afraid. I have come to terms with the fact that I will never be a champion knitter though. I am ok with that.
Agree with you 100% on this one Anne. As we do get older I think it’s important not to be complacent and not be able to learn new skills, marvel at sometnhing amazing we’ve been dying to see all of our lives, like a painting in Europe. You have a wicked good life and keep Denis around and you won’t feel depressed because he’s so funny..laughter..the best medicine. He’s a funny guy. That’s one thing that’s important is laughter.
Please excuse my wording. I think I stated that backward! Wow.. What I meant is exactly what you said. No complacency. And it gives you a great feeling of accomplishment.
I feel exactly the same way Ann. I just wish I had more time to ride, but then I think just having the horses around and watching them in the field gives me a sense of calm on days I get frustrated at not having the time to ride. I often tell my parents that if they had let me go for lessons as a kid, perhaps I would have got this obsession out of my system then!
Jan, lately, I get more frustrated riding than I do just hanging around the horses. I had a jumping lesson on my dressage horse yesterday and I got so frustrated and annoyed with him and he became so outraged with me that I’m lucky he didn’t buck me off. But afterward I gave him a warm bath and led him to a nice grassy spot and let him graze while I watched a friend ride. Soon he was snuggling me and I was covering his face with kisses again.
Visualize me nodding my head in total agreement.
When I’m asked what I want for my birthday or Christmas, it’s usually something for the horses (new XC boots, Mattes pad, etc). Hubby and I lived in NYC during our first anniversary, and after taking me out to dinner, you would think he’d get me something with carats on it. Nope. He brought carrots. So we could wander around and feed the carriage horses in Central Park. Does he know me well or what? That was so much better than any piece of jewelry.
I love your posts like these…we feel lucky to be able to give our horses a great life, especially in this economy, and the horses give back to us tenfold, just by being themselves.
By the way, if anyone is interested, the Rolex Kentucky 3 Day Event is streaming live and for free this weekend – Day 2 of dressage is on today, cross country tomorrow, and show jumping Sunday. It’s actually a huge event for the Olympic selection process this year.
Link to live stream:
http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/Rolex3Day2012/
Link to timetable (rider times):
http://www.rk3de.org/timetable.php
KC, your horses receive better care than many children in this country! And the animals do give back!
First let me say Gabriel and Mark are beautiful!
I was fascinated with horses when I was young and wanted one so bad was never to have one.
I get pulled in so many directions in my life, one of them having my 80 year old father live with us. I realized last year that I desperately needed to find time to do something for myself and so last April 2011 at the age of 47 started taking riding lessons!! I found a stable 2 miles from my house that teaches English. I don’t have any high expections or want to jump and such I am pretty much posting and trotting and that is fine with me. The 2 horses that I get to groom, tack up and ride have saved my sanity! I am completely addicted. I don’t have expensive jewelry or spend much on clothes either, and I don’t feel the need to run out and shop all the time. We have a tight budget and I made up my mind all my scrimping and saving will go towards my horse fix!
Jill, your comment is making me weepy. I’m very emotional this morning. So glad that you are finally riding. Enjoy it!
Loved this article Ann. Such beautiful animals. I remember my first ride when I was about 7 years old. I used to beg my friends in Jr.High & High School to ride with me @ the West Medford, MA. stables. Then I would wait for everyone to get far ahead of me then gallop to them. Each and every time I rode was the amazing feeling you get when you are one with a horse, whether you are galloping and can only hear the wind in your ears or just walking My favorite was a particular horse that loved to rear up on two legs-I felt like the Lone Ranger. Haven’t ridden in a long time but would do so in a heartbeat. Love your articles.
Totally relate to this posting…
When I was young, we lived at various military bases, from CA to TX. I would ride my bike to the base riding stables and just hang around all day, doing anything I was allowed to, like brushing, helping feed, watching riders etc… I would ask anyone and everyone if I could ride their horse. Some said no, but those that said yes would let me ride around in the arena and
sometimes I got to ride in the open fields adjoining the barns. I was in Heaven. My time spent with the horses allowed me to escape the reality of living with alcoholic parents and all the fun that comes with that! At home, I surrounded myself with the neighbors dogs (Dad did not allow me to have my own) to walk, love and just talk too.
It was not until 3 yrs ago, at age 56, I finally acquired my very first ever riding horse. My Icelandic girl, Saeta. I can look out my window anytime of day and she is there, I can go out and bury my face in her soft neck and take in the her soothing scent that takes away any worries for the day. I am blessed and privileged to have a life that I can share with my pups, horses and of course my soul mate, Steve, who loves them all as much as I do!
My first comment is still awaiting moderation (I put in a link) but I have to comment how much I love Saeta! I had no idea you didn’t own her for much longer, what a moving story Sandy. xo
Yes KC, I have only had her for 3 years
She is 12 this year, and has the most amazing mind. Kind, smart and very much the Duchess to the little mini’s. She has taught me more than I ever could imagine about life itself. A wonderful soul she has……Thank you for your sweet comment 
Ann, the pic of you w/Zidane is glorious, 2 beauties together for sure. Nice little plug for Locus Hill Farms in the top pic. Thanks for sharing, I love horses too. I do want to move to a small farm one day.
Ann, do horses figure in The Good House somewhere? (Sorry if that question has already been addressed in prior posts and I somehow missed it!)
Kathy, yes there are several horses in The Good House. One of them, a rather snarky mare named Betty, plays an important role.
Oh God I love this piece! It reminds me of myself with horses. I’ve loved them all of my life. This would make a fantastic book as well. I couldn’t take my eyes off the writing. That black horse Zidane is just stunning. What a beautiful horse. I love the pictures. I’m happy that your dream finally came true and I’m glad the original horse you first bought is still with us. They’re so precious. They’re just beautiful. I go riding when I can. Time is always in the way, but when I do it’s the best feeling. Loved the piece!!
I did not realize Gabriel was your first horse. I know you love all your horses, but Gabriel must hold a very special place in your heart. As you said, having dreams and wishing and waiting for them to come true…makes it so much more precious. I can only imagine how your husband felt when he was able to make this beautiful dream come true for you…how incredibly special!
Beautiful expression of what all horsewomen feel, Ann….I rode as a kid and stopped at 16, then started again when I was 27. I had warned my husband, before we married, there was something he needed to know about me….I was going to get a horse as soon as we could afford it. Little did he know! I’ve been so lucky to have horses most of my adult life, including present day. I’m older than dirt, but I’ll keep riding as long as I can. When I can’t, I’ll still find a way to be with these magical creatures who give us so much more than we can ever return. I recently finished a lovely little book, “She Flies Without Wings”, about the spiritual connection between women and horses. You might enjoy it. Thanks for this blog & especially today’s post.
Dear Ann,
Lovely words and beautiful pictures. Your passion for horses has made me think of taking up riding again!! With my children in their growing up and much more independent years, my four legged family members bring me so much joy. My furry members have helped me take the sting out of not having little ones to take care of. I find myself asking, “Where has the time gone”? It seems when I may let myself dwell on this, one of my dogs just happens to need to go out!! I grab the leash and we head out for exercise and a new adventure!!.
Gorgeous photos, evocative storytelling; your heart shines shooting-star-bright through the words whenever you write of your family, dogs & horses (the latter two of which *are* family, of course). Those Walter Farley horse books were my lifeline when I was growing up – I even named one of my cats Farley.
I agree w/Lori. I love the willingness to learn/discover/explore aspect of you & your blog as well, Ann. I remember that it was you who planted the seed in my brain last year that I might be able to use a kayak powered by pedaling & I’ve had that on my Life List ever since. (those suckers are a bit pricey though, so it’s going to take some saving up!)
Last night my best friend & I watched being Elmo for our girls’ movie night & I was wishing the whole way through the viewing that I were younger so I could be a puppeteer. I do funny voices & have always wanted to be a voice actor for cartoons, but while seeing the story of Kevin Clash I realized that voicing puppets/muppets would’ve been an even better – perhaps the perfect! – fit for me & my crazy/funny voices. It’s too late for a career in that, of course, but not too late to make a puppet & a “world” for her & take that show to kids’ hospitals. I’m fairly convinced that I’d have the only service dog & puppet act out there :0)
Ann, I should probably put this question under the “Burn” blog, but maybe you’ll see it here. I just received a copy of “3000 Degrees” and am wondering which of the firefighters was Denis’ cousin. I know the book is going to be upsetting to read, but I still want to read it. I also got a copy of “Last Man Down”.
Hi Linda, Denis’s brave, handsome, funny, kind cousin was Jerry Lucey.
I love your thoughts and photos–and all the responses.
The outside of a horse is truly a wonderful thing for the inside of a (hu)man.
Even though my horses are too old for an adult to ride, they help my equilibrium every day. (Gabriel looks awesome, btw) Wish our ladies were still under 30!
It took me a long time to realize that even on landscape painting trips, I unconsciously looked for equines. For example, needed a mule ride in Bryce Canyon (and a painting session), a nuzzle and a painting of somebody’s pack string, and horses as subjects during a Mid-Coast, CA art competition (with the ocean 100 yards behind me).
A well respected artist friend recently pointed out that most of my awards and sales in national, juried shows have been equine subjects. So, I took the Steep Rock encounter with you and Mark as a sign, and have decided to become the next Sir Alfred Munnings. Since last fall, I’ve been consciously seeking all types of horses as models (with or without their people). There’s even a Santa Anita series in the works and it feels really right.
My Steep Rock benefit will definitely be assorted subjects, with plenty of horse paintings in the mix. Many thanks to you and Mark for pointing me in the right direction.
Here is a link you might all enjoy
http://www.andrewmcgibbon.co.za/gallery/all_the_wild_horses/
Great pics Tammy, thank you
Ann, Just loved this writing and pictures. It is really beautiful and my sentiments exactly. It seems like it touched many of your other followers also. Thank you! Now I am going out to kiss my horse.
Just wanted share another thought which relates to “carrots” and “carats”. When I was a young mom, I inherited a good size family diamond ring. I never really wore it. So, I thought what good is it sitting in a drawer somewhere. I decided to sell it and that is how I bought my very first horse. It was and still is, the best investment in lifetime adventures and friendships ever. I have never regretted it for one moment. I would rather have “carrots” to give my horses, then “carats” to wear.
I love how you sold one jewel to acquire another jewel!
Thank you! How nicely said. I will remember that.
In the words of Cary Grant,, “you can buy marbles today or horses tomorrow”. I am so jealous of all the bloggers that have horses.
Where is Gabriel now?
Linda S.
He’s out grazing in our field with Mark.