Sadly, I have never outgrown the crazy horse girl phase even as I close in on my “vintage” years. I still have my original hobby horse from when I was a youngster. It was taller than I was for many years, but it was still my only horse until I was 37 years old. And, before you ask, I stopped riding him well before I was out of my early elementary school years.

My first horse. I seem to have an affinity for the brown ones.

I am that person who will call out, “Horse!” every time I see one in a field while driving. It is like breathing – involuntary and necessary. I smile when I see a truck and trailer headed down the road. There is a magnetic force that pulls my car into the parking lot of any tack store I find. Once inside, I am the kid in the candy store, deliberately stifling my excited squeals as I puruse the newest breeches and riding shirts. Put a horse in an advertisement and I will stop flipping channels.

In the office I am known as “the horse lady.” I am known for other things as well, but those things need not be shared here…my coworkers have (unfortunately) been indoctrinated into horse life. Sadly, no one wants to come to the barn on sheath cleaning day. Thankfully I have a very understanding supervisor who allows me to maintain my equine lifestyle even if he doesn’t fully understand the mystique.

In our neighborhood, I’ve also got the moniker of horse person. One lady saw my license plate with the horse head on the back of my car, and a few days later stopped by with a saddle rack and some horse decor. She used to own horses, no longer does, and so she thought I would like the items. The wreath she gave me now hangs in the front porch.

My dogs have squirrels; I have horses. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

alison

P.S. Don’t forget to get your guess in for Ike’s weight. Contest closes on Wednesday, July 11th.