What it means to be 'horse crazy'

We've all heard it, said it or been called it at one point or another - horse crazy. It's typically a phrase used to describe pony-loving little girls, but I've heard it quite a bit recently in regards to a larger part of the equestrian community.

If you're into cars and repairing/restoring them, you're not automobile crazy, you're a gear head. If you like stamps or movie memorabilia, you're not stamp or movie crazy, you're a collector. Ever wonder why they call it 'horse crazy'?

Now that I'm all grown up, like I couldn't wait to be as a teen, and have gotten back into riding as an adult amateur, I've learned more about what it means to be 'horse crazy.'

cra·zy

/krāzē/
extremely enthusiastic
ex: "I'm crazy about him."
synonyms: passionate about, (very) keen on, enamored of, infatuated with, smitten with, devoted to; (very) enthusiastic about

When I first started thinking about the term horse crazy, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Did it make sense? Was it an appropriate label? Just because I'm devoted, passionate and knowledgeable about a sport and industry not understood in the slightest by the general public, is it fair game to call me crazy? 

Despite the definition of 'extremely enthusiastic' I can't forget about the negative connotation to 'crazy,' as in, "she's crazy!" And I got to thinking about the other, maybe more popular definition - insane, out of one's mind.

Then I started to delve into some of the components of life as an equestrian: 
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Early mornings. Late nights. Long days in the cold, wind, rain, or heat. Sacrifices – both time and money. Big expensive, injury-prone creatures. ​Jumping over [sometimes large, super solid] fences. Training a 1,200-pound animal to be more graceful than I'll ever be capable of. Putting your trust in an animal whose natural response is to run away from things its unsure of.  

Crazy make sense. Crazy totally makes sense. 

So, why do we do it? Why are we horse crazy?

We do it because we love it and it becomes a part of who we are. 

Here's a few things I love about being 'horse crazy:'

• the partnership and bond that is formed between horse and rider. They become our best friends and confidants;
• that they occasionally (ok, sometimes more than I like to admit) save my butt during rides - you know, adding that stride in here or there so we don't leave from that oh-so-fearful 'holy-shit' distance;
• that they help me forget the stresses of my daily life (adulting can be hard!). All my worries seem to disappear when I'm at the barn;
• the little accomplishments just as much as the successes of class wins and division championships;
• the little quirks horses have that anyone else would find annoying;
• the feeling after a great ride; and
• the barn friends that become family.

Photo credit: Core Equine Photography

To equestrians, it's worth the early mornings, late nights, long days in crazy weather, dirty nails, hay-filled hair (and sports bras), soreness, tiredness and so much more. Our perseverance and dedication to the equestrian sport is what makes us #adultammystrong!

So, let them call you horse crazy. They just don't get it. ​