Why ride a horse, or simply have one? These days, there is no reason to. Riding a horse is an outdated form of travel. But I do it anyway. Millions across the globe do it anyway. Cars might rule the streets, but in many people's minds, they do not rule the world. There are special, four-legged hoofed wonders for that.
I don't do it to stare Death in the face. When it all knuckles down to it, he's not a nice person to stare at when you've got a half-tonne of muscle bucking underneath you. Some days I hate the buggers. I want them to understand exactly what I want. I want them to realize that after getting ridden they won't always get fed, sometimes they need a wash, sometimes they need worming paste. But sometimes, I lie at night, wishing I was with one, just to be with it. To lean against. To love.
But why do it? Well, if you have to ask you wouldn't understand. But here's the short, simple answer:
Its all those little moments.
Like today, when my horse nuzzled my arm.
Or when they're lying down, sleeping, completely at ease with you.
When the light catches their shoulder just so, sending ricochets of light towards you.
The first time they come up to you in the paddock with a nicker, or when they recognize your voice.
The smell of leather, or the curve of body under you, bunching for a canter, a gallop, a jump, just a trot.
The raw, solid power.
The smell their coat gets when it rains, or their sweat, clinging to their bodies.
We find joy in strange places, maybe, but then, why climb a mountain? Why swim with sharks?
It's the little thrills, or the big ones, or the journey that it takes to get there. It's because you can, it's because it's there to be done. | 
