I have found that the people I've met throughout life have either loved or hated horses. I am on the side that loves them. I truly believe that horses have a bond with people that no other animal can have. Don't get me wrong, I love all the animals, but something about the understanding between humans and horses in irreplaceable. Here are ten reasons horses are the ultimate animal companion:

1. They will teach you a great deal of responsibility.

From age 8-80, if you start working with horses, you will gain a new sense of responsibility. Young kids will gain a whole new sense of taking care of this living animal that is 10x their size. Even as an older person, you'll gain a new respect for the responsibility gained with caring for a horse.

2. You will never feel more connected to anything more than you do then when you're riding a 1000+ lb animal.

When you are up on the back of this large animal, there is a connection gained higher than any other pet. You have to trust that the horse you are on is not going to go crazy and harm you, and they in return are trusting you to not lead them into anything dangerous.

3. Every ride is a life lesson.

Like the saying, "you just gotta get back on the horse again," each time you ride, you learn an important life lesson. When you fall, you learn to get up, dust yourself off, and try again.

4. You will never feel closer to flying than when you're galloping.

Unless you are legitimately flying, the closest you may come is when you're on the back of a horse who is galloping. And trust me, nothing is more freeing.

5. They teach you how to control your emotions.

Because horses are herd animals, every action you do has an equal or greater reaction from your horse. They feel your nerves and what you want from them, so you really must learn how to control your feelings.

6. You will learn how to be a confident leader.

Your horse is depending on you to make up your mind and confidently lead it through whatever obstacles you are facing, whether that be a jumping course, or during practice.

7. They teach you mental and physical strength and flexibility.

Since this is an animal that is 1000+ lbs, you learn quickly that life does not always go our way. Therefore, when you are on a horse that is stubborn and bucking like crazy, you learn to be strong and to think flexibly because that is the only way you will get your companion to do as you wish.

8. They teach you to be goal oriented.

Part of riding is knowing that you can always be better, so as a rider you always have a goal to look towards. Whether it is making sure your heels are down while riding, or it is winning your first blue ribbon, you learn to always have a goal.

9. They show us how to work hard for our relationships.

A horse may not always trust you right away and that is a big part of riding, trust. So, you learn how to show them you are trustworthy and gives us an idea of how hard working for a relationship can be and how we can work to build better relationships.

10. Horses show us that in life when an obstacle is in front of us, you need to just hold tight, and get over it.

Just like jumping, you got to just do it. Look towards your next goal and just get over the obstacle.

As a rider, I have learned a world from horses and continue every day, which is why they say once a horse person, always a horse person.