North Shoreian
Equestrian Culture
The Benefits of Horseback Riding
By Shanna Franklin
I grew up hearing my friends and
family telling me that I had ‘horses in my
blood.’ They were always amazed at how
naturally riding came to me, but why
shouldn’t it? It’s been my passion since
before I knew what the word ‘passion’
meant.
After I began taking lessons as a child,
I learned that each horse has a unique
and distinct personality, with their own
quirks, likes and dislikes; even different
breeds have different defining character-
istics. The more I learned about horses,
the more I realized that I was learning
from them.
I’ve ridden, trained and competed
horses in many different states, even in dif-
ferent countries; when I lived in Germany for
a year, most of my free time was consumed
by riding and competing in hunters, jumpers,
and—my favorite—equitation over fences.
And every horse I’ve ridden has taught me
something, the most important lessons having
nothing at all to do with horseback riding.
My first horse, Simon, was my first
real best friend. And I’m not talking about the
kind of friend that you go to the movies with
on the weekend. I’m talking about the kind
of friend that you tell everything to; all your
secrets, your fears, hopes and dreams, every
boring detail of your day. Simon knew me
like he knew his own stall, and I knew him
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Northshoerian JuneJuly 2009.indd38 38 6/16/2009 1:21:23 PM
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