People have a lot to say about former horse girls, and it's usually not nice. What they don’t know is that there is an entire subculture of horse lovers. I started riding at the age of 2-years-old and have owned my horse Bango for 11 years.

I spent over 18 years and too much money chasing after my aspirations to one day fulfill my equestrian dreams, and I experienced many struggles along the way, including a broken nose and who knows how many broken fingers and toes. Here are some of the things every horse girl (or boy) like myself knows all too well.

1. Feeling betrayed when your horse spooks at something dumb like the wind or a squirrel.

2. Constantly having injuries from being stepped on, bitten or thrown off.

3. The weird rivalry between English and Western-style riders.

4. But those who did show jumping and dressage were the coolest kids of them all.

5. Complaining about sore thighs and calves from posting (Even though your instructors says you only hurt because you’re doing it wrong).

6. Always reading books like "The Thoroughbred Series" and "Phantom Stallion," and wishing you could be part of the stories.

7. You represented your hobby in and out of the barn. Your clothes, notebooks, book bag, and jewelry all reflected your love of equestrianism.

8. Never leaving the barn without being covered in your sweat, your horse's sweat, dust, and poop, but you wouldn’t have it any other way.

9. Falling in love with Chris Hemsworth on "The Saddle Club" long before he was ever Thor.

10. Being immune to the smells of poop. Mucking stalls has cured you of that.

11. Spending hours picking out the perfect show outfit and having it usually include sparkles.

12. Being overall pretty fearless, because once you sit atop a 1000 pound animal as it’s running 30 mph, everything else becomes pretty tame.

13. Watching old westerns and never seeing cowgirls, even though you know you could outride John Wayne any day.

14. Watching the Olympics specifically to see the equestrian events.

15. Growing out of your phase or sticking with it, but never forgetting the amazing memories you made on top of a horse.