There’s No Telling Why Some People Make a Life with Horses
I was fortunate as a child to have horses given to me; I know it was a privilege and I’m grateful. My mother was passionate about them and provided my sister and me the opportunity to ride and own our own horses. She hauled us to lessons and shows and took us into the back country on epic pack trips. She found worthy adults to teach and mentor us because she knew it was important for her children to be guided by others, and we benefited from her generosity and intelligence.
Of course, work was involved—lots of it—but I don’t remember bemoaning the labor. I’ve always loved caring for animals of all kinds. I fed and cleaned up after my own horse every day and helped as I could on our small ranch where my mother bred and raised Quarter horses and Arabians. We were a team, and I learned about life by helping in the breeding shed, with foaling, weaning, training, showing, and selling the young stock.
Recently I was reminiscing with a student/boarder about her horse journey. At 45 years old now, she’s been taking lessons from me since she was 9. (I know, that’s a long time!) As a wee child she’d ride her bike the mile or so from her house to mine and hang out at the end of the driveway. One day I asked her if she’d like to pet the horses, and the rest is history. She’d mow my lawn, weed the garden, clean stalls, paint fences—whatever was necessary to earn a few minutes riding my naughty pony. She always arrived by bicycle, and her parents were never involved; they most likely hoped the passion would fade.
I (almost) feel bad now, looking back on it, but perhaps all that hard work is why she now values horses so much. She’s a fine horsewoman and rider/trainer; she’s also one of the most honest, responsible, and dependable people I know. She put herself through college and has a good job that pays for her horse.
Honestly, I don’t know why some of us end up as horse-crazy nuts while others let them go. My friend and I arrived in the horse world by different paths but we’re both still as passionate as ever. Perhaps some people are just destined for a life with horses, and that’s what makes my world go around.
See this article in the July/August 2023 online edition:
July/August 2023 Issue
Kim Roe grew up riding on the family ranch and competed in Western rail classes, trail horse, reining, working cow, and hunter/jumper. She trained her first horse for money at 12 years old, starting a pony for a neighbor.
Kim has been a professional dressage instructor in Washington state for over 30 years, training hundreds of horses and students through the levels. In recent years Kim has become involved in Working Equitation and is a small ‘r’ Working Equitation judge with WE United.
Kim is the editor of the Northwest Horse Source Magazine, and also a writer, photographer, and poet. She owns and manages Blue Gate Farm in Deming, Washington where she continues to be passionate about helping horses and riders in many disciplines.