dont you hate it when people think horsebackriding is just your "new little hobby"?

Question

I have been riding horses all of my life, and i hate it when i talk about horses to people, and they look and me like im a little six year old who wants a miniature for my birthday. People always judge me and say "oh its so cute how she has a new hobby!" seriously, you dont even know me! I'VE RIDDEN MY WHOLE LIFE. It's not a hobby, its my life. anyone else have the same problem?

Answer 1

Nope. Pick up the check next time you dine out..and casually mention that your horse bought it. Who are these people that always judge you? And no, I don't have that problem. I have miracles! Really, hope you feel better .
EDIT:
PS its a filly!

Answer 2

Similar.

People think that is the only hobby I have or enjoy. I love to do other things, but my horses are my kids. They are more than a hobby to me. People can't see that and that is okay, because everyone is different and has their own preferences.

I been riding for the past 12 years now and I still have people look at me like I am 10 sometimes (Equine educational and training ability). Just because I am a short girl who doesn't look older than 16 lol. Even though I am almost 22, breed, train, show and member of the Mounted Rescue Team etc.

I just have to shrug it off and that is the only thing you can do.

Discuss what you love and be picky who you discuss it with. People do get a little too judgmental and it is just they don't understand. Most likely, they are not horse people or don't know what owning a horse is all about; therefore, they don't understand how horses are your idenity in life.

Answer 3

I have never heard that expression or gotten that look- I have been ground breaking horses since I was 12, and started riding at 14 or so. I am now 21.

Do you have some actions that make people think that? I have never heard that said to anyone over 10 yrs old (with their parents paying for everything with the horse)

Answer 4

Perhaps you just live in an area where horseback riding is something seen as a vacation side trip to a dude ranch.Where I live many people ride for the enjoyment.I personally don't though my mother-in-law has several horses which my kids ride.I can say I have ever met anyone as you described.
It could be the way and or manor to which you are talking that makes them feel as if they need to amuse you like one does with a child.Perhaps they just think you are blowing smoke up their butt.Who really knows.Yet why should it bother you.Better yet why let it bother you.

Answer 5

I’ve always been a wannabe horsy person, but couldn’t start riding properly until I left home. I never questioned why I liked horses so much, even before I had regular contact with them, until someone asked me, “Horses? What’s the point?” and I thought; well, one end bites, the other end kicks and the middle bucks; they cost so much time and money that your whole life starts revolving around them, and when you do get to go out, you are smelling faintly of horses and haven’t managed to get all the horse hair out of your top. I think we must all share a common insanity. Later I thought of the prefect answer though; “Love doesn’t have to be rational.”

I’ve never had a problem with people patronising me (too much), but when talking to non-horsy people I’ve always said that I’m a groom, trainer or horseowner.

Answer 6

yes i know exactly what you mean... i was raised around horses also and raise them now. over the past few years, i have turned my "hobby" into a semi-profitable side-business, yet people want to talk to you like you sit around all day with pink boots on and a little cowgirl outfit and jump on your pony with a red saddle and ride a couple of circles around the yard and that's it. ever get this one---why do you have horses, they are such a ig waste of money? people ask me that all the time...first of all how i spend my money is my business, second of all, how many people have these expensive little chihuahuas and pomeranian puppies and such that cost a ton of money---how is a horse any worse than that? anyway, i know what you mean, the average person just doesnt know about horses though.

Answer 7

Yes it does tend to be annoying. Most people will never experience the way it feels to have that much power beneath you as you run through the field with the wind in your hair and your breath caught in your chest. For most people it is just another thing to do because the kids want to go to camp and that seems like something that will take them away for hours. And of course, you, like me, are women and that doesn't fit into the stereotypical horse person.

Answer 8

yea i have that the things is you should take ppl on one of those experience trail rides for 2 hours when they get of theyll no what u are talking about, horses are portayed wrong in movies and books they are shwon to ppl like that so what should ppl who dont have horsres think??? my friend went on a two hour trail ride yest while on holiday, she said her whole body was sore and she never thought her but would be the same again, and she really admires horse riders now!!! yea it also gets to me though

little fact
it is the same as doing 30 min jog

Answer 9

yes, and i have lost many a relationship over that misunderstanding. i actually had a guy ask why i didn't just stop because it bothered it. you might as well ask me not to breathe. heres something all you fellow horse addicts might enjoy...
I Ride
>
>A Simple Statement
>
>*I ride.* That seems like such a simple statement. However as many women
>who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power
>and empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered
>out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill
>water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay
>delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway,
>or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a
>cold beer after a long ride.
>
>The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication.
>At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the
>sickness'. It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl
>bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real
>horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the
>sickness'. It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do
>and, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.
>
>*I ride.* I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some
>trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I
>breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and
>savor the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my
>sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ball cap down and let the real world
>fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.
>
>Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My
>gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat
>and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and
>the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the
>leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.
>
>I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I
>ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend
>through the manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my
>chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a
>real accomplishment. Still I ride, no matter how tired or how much my
>seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt. I ride.
>And I feel better for doing so.
>
>The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to
>find lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold
>beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The
>Granite Stairway at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on
>the prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.
>
>I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how
>competent they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch. We haul 40ft
>rigs, we back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp.
>Tend the horses. We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our
>companions, the horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on
>the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel,
>fill, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel with
>out makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the 'sickness' and
>probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse while
>you dreamed of riding a real one.

Answer 10

i have been without a horse for 2 years and i gotta tell ya that i am having such withdrawels.. only a true horse person would understand. people who have never really ridden just do not get and i would not worry about what they think. it is your own private world anyway.. i am envious. keep ridin and enjoy!