As blessed as I am to be able to call myself an equestrian, I know there are a lot of quirks that come alongside it. After nearly 10 years of being around (and loving) horses, I can say for sure that being an equestrian is a lifestyle; it comes with a culture, a lexicon, and a lifelong love for the best animals in the world (sorry, dogs). So in honor of my 21st birthday (yay!), here are 21 signs you might be an equestrian.
1. You find yourself walking around campus in muddy, smelly boots and breeches covered in horse hair – and you honestly don’t really care.
2. You get a little snobby when you watch horse movies – those actors never know how to sit a trot!
3. All of your social media profile pictures are of you with your horse (or sometimes, just your horse).
4. You share everything with your horse – your dreams, your problems, your food…I’ve even shared shampoo.
5. You’ve been (jokingly) accused by your significant other of loving your horse more than you love them.
6. You’re way more insulted by people criticizing your horse than by people criticizing you.
7. You know that a pony is not a small horse.
8. And that using a crop isn’t “animal cruelty.”
9. Or spurs.
10. You know that a fly mask isn’t a blindfold.
11. Your blood pressure rises a little when people say, “But riding isn’t that hard!”
12. You’re very handy with duct tape.
13. You’ve made a kissing noise to get the attention of an actual human (whoops).
14. Few things satisfy you more than a freshly-drug arena.
15. You were the “horse girl” in middle school — you know the one. You had a horse folder, a horse necklace, horse socks…
16. Most of your Christmas and birthday presents are actually just presents for your horse.
17. Smelling like your horse is like a badge of honor.
18. You slave over grooming your horse but neglect your own beauty routine.
19. Your car is full of gloves, helmet covers, and mud.
20. You spend long hours taking care of your horse, but wouldn't trade them for anything.
21. You absolutely can't imagine your life without your horse in it.
