Our Riding Experiences Issue 7 Home Page

The Rider and the Horse Rachel Alvarez from Brazil develops a new understanding of the rider's relationship with the horse and with other riders. Photo: Thomas Peters We ride and work together and help each other.   Recently, I had to come to Japan. Leaving behind everything I had started with my house in Brazil was hard, but new horizons were coming. I can tell you, I am a lucky girl. Arriving in Japan, I discovered that Japanese schools, unlike schools in Brazil, have sports clubs we can enjoy after school such as volleyball, basketball, soccer, and handball clubs. I discovered my school had a horseback riding club which was really close. I couldn't believe it. In my hometown, we have horseback riding, but not at school, and you have to pay a lot of money to enjoy it. Riding horses had always been an expensive sport for people in high society. In Japan, however, I found this was not true. For lessons, insurance, and horses, we paid only a small insurance fee, and that was all. Another thing that surprised me was it was our obligation to take care of the horses. In contrast, in Brazil, we always had someone to clean and feed the horse, clean the stalls, and do all the work. We only had to worry about riding. Taking care of the horses, I've discovered the more you are together with the animal, the more he can recognize you, and the more you understand him. An animal treats you as well as you treat him. If you don't understand your horse, and he doesn't know you, you lose the wonderful opportunity to be with a very kind and intelligent animal. A teacher said, "The horse is a reflection of your honor." I think it's true. If you treat your horse unkindly, he will be unkind. If you treat him well, he will be the best friend you have ever known. Riding in this club, I have also learned that the relationship with other riders is important. It makes no difference how much money you have or how old you are. Everyone has to clean the stable, wash the horses, feed them, and clean the tools. We ride and work together and help each other. It is good because we make good friends. I have been riding horses since I was a child, but I haven't learned as much in all that time as I have learned in one year during my stay here in Japan. I will use my new knowledge to do better when I go back to Brazil. More riding experiences: Our School Riding Club | Learning to Ride Horses Return to: Our Riding Experiences | Issue 7 | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine ©1997-2008 - Sandy and Thomas Peters - topics.mag@gmail.com