Priorities

I bought my very first horse when I was 32.

Wait, Let me back up a bit. 

I do not remember when I discovered horses. I don't remember a time when I wasn't passionate about horses. When I was a preschooler I wandered off to nearest horse pasture whenever no one was looking. I would be scolded and nod solemnly, but we all knew that I would do it again. 

 I did not get a chance to do much more than day dream until I was in my 20's and graduating university.  My mother asked me what I wanted for a graduation gift. I asked for horseback riding lessons. I know that she was taken aback- she was thinking jewelry or a nice leather briefcase for grad school. However, a local riding school was doing an intro to horseback riding course and I wanted it. I remember thinking that it was now or never. 

In those weeks I was well and truly hooked. I knew that I would be involved with horses for the rest of my life. I kept riding at various lesson places and did extra work for extra rides. I would muck out, groom, clean tack- whatever. Other people might have been gathering stuff for a house or children, I collected stuff for horse ownership. Once, at a show I won a halter. I was so thrilled and I saved that halter for my first horse. Whenever we moved it came with us. 

Between the age of 22 (when I started riding) and 32 I got married, did a masters degree, had children, did another masters degree (I always enjoyed university) and finally became employed. At32 I became a professional and we moved to the area we live now. My husband and I built a house and furnished it. Well, mostly. We now had a formal living room but no formal furniture. My husband suggested that we buy some. 

I had other ideas. So 'we' bought a horse. A 2 year old QH. When people came to visit and we gave them a tour of our new home there was always that awkward moment when they looked at the bare living room and didn't know what to say. I would smile and Ed would  wryly say "our furniture is in the barn"