Do you wake up thinking about horses, think about horses all day at school, re-read your favorite horse book for the fifteenth time, wish you could spend every free minute at the barn, and then dream about horses all night? It’s hard to imagine that not everyone is as horse-crazy as you are. It’s even more shocking to discover that some people don’t like horses at all! What?!
So, what can you do if you love horses and your family members just … don’t? Here are a few tips to help keep the peace, find common ground, and embrace your individual interests as a family.
Be Understanding
There are many reasons that people might not love horses, and sometimes it’s because they’re a little scared of them. While equestrians know the proper ways to handle horses and be safe when interacting with them, those practices may be a mystery to people who have never been around horses. And let’s face it, horses are large, powerful animals, and can seem intimidating.
Sometimes just getting more comfortable around horses can help people overcome their fears. If your family members are willing, you might be able to help simply by showing them how you stay safe around horses. (“Always keep those fingers flat when giving treats!”)
But fear isn’t always the issue. Some people just aren’t fans of animals, and sometimes people just haven’t been around horses enough to realize how cool they are. It’s hard to love something you don’t know anything about, so recognize that maybe your family just hasn’t had the opportunity to love horses before.
You can look for ways to help your family spend more time around horses—they might just discover that they like horses more than they realized!
Find Ways to Share
So maybe you and your family won’t be heading out for a group trail ride for the weekend, and that’s totally OK! After all, your family probably has lots of interests and hobbies that might not appeal to you personally. But there are more ways to introduce your family to equines—especially if you start showing interest in their interests as well.
Do you have a sibling who loves science? You could discuss the genetics of horse coat color, and try out an online foal color calculator. Do your parents enjoy cooking or baking? Ask them to help you whip up a tasty homemade treat for your favorite pony!
Watch Equestrian Sports Together
Sports just might be the universal language that everyone in your family can speak. Even non-horsey people can enjoy equestrian sports, especially ones that are easy for anyone to follow—like show jumping.
Your family members won’t need to be equine experts to enjoy the thrill of watching horse-and-rider teams race around the course trying to jump clear and stay within the allowed time!
Understand the Expense
Sometimes it isn’t the horses themselves that are the problem, but the cost, commitment, and responsibility. While your dream may be to have a beautiful gray pony living in a cute red barn in your backyard, you may have to look for a less expensive alternative, at least for now.
Ask your family if they have ideas for ways you can earn money, then try to save enough to put toward lessons. Taking lessons can be an affordable way to spend time around horses, plus you’ll also be gaining knowledge and skill with every lesson.
Another bonus is that your family will have the chance to be around horses, too, and they might get more comfortable around them over time.
Remember, It’s OK
And finally, the main thing to remember is this: while it’s great to have family members who enjoy the same activities and interests you do, it’s also OK if they’re interested in other things. It doesn’t have to diminish your enjoyment of horses at all.
Everyone has different things that make them happy, because that’s part of what makes us all unique. Your heart may go pitter-patter for Paso Finos and Percherons, but maybe your sister’s heart belongs to Scottish country dancing.
Fortunately, the world is full of fellow equine enthusiasts, so you’ll never have any trouble finding people who will happily discuss the wondrous world of Haflingers and dressage movements and snaffle bits with you.
And you never know—maybe someday you will have a family member heading out for that trail ride with you. Happy trails!
This article about what to do if your family doesn’t like horses appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
