What if I wasn’t a horse person?

Or rather: “The consequences of driving a small car”

I’ve blogged before about how we can sometimes be distracted away from our horses (for example – by inclement weather) and for a time discover all those hobbies and interests that might actually turn into something if it wasn’t for our horses. Then the situation passes and we turn back to our great love – horses.

While driving my small rental car (truck is still in the shop) this week I had another variation of that thought, which was:

“What would my life look like without horses?”

The thought wasn’t malicious or born in response to a particular horrible event. It was seriously considered only in the way that a Mother might think “how would my life be different without children?”.

I would drive a small car, like the one I am renting.

I would live in those fancy new apartments across the way. The ones in the gated community with a hot tub, game room and lounge, with a DVD lending library all included in rent.

I would take private fiddle lessons and practice every day.

I would be a serious runner and perhaps qualify for the Boston marathon.

I wouldn’t have a wardrobe composed entirely of second hand clothing and I would have more than one pair of office shoes and they would be newer than 4 years old.

I would shave my legs and join the Masters Swim club.

I would cry less, but probably would laugh less too.

I would travel to see friends in other parts of the country and I’d be better at keeping up with friends too.

I would actually make it to bible study and church more than once a month.

I would have internet at home but I probably wouldn’t have a blog and wouldn’t have learned to love other people.

I would probably be a much shallower, less caring person.

I think, in general, horse people are different. We are a little less naive, a little more accustomed to heartache and loss, but are also full of optimism and hope. We are keenly aware of the tradeoffs and costs and benefits since no matter what your income, the horses will swallow it whole. We are little more forgiving, and a little more tired then our non-horsey counterpart. A little more able to appreciate the “small things in life”. A little more likely to lend a helping hand. A little more likely to look past the grime of life and see truth. A little more likely to learn a bit of humility and the folly of pride. I think horse people are a little more likely to care.

Are you the same person if we took away your horses?