Having a horse means muddy shoes and a happy heart.

Having a horse means muddy shoes and a happy heart.

 I was very young when I first saw a horse and was fascinated by this graceful and strong animal. I spent hours in the stables near my home, watching the horses graze and imagining what it would feel like to ride freely, as if I were flying with the wind. As much as I wanted to, it is not easy to have your own horse, you need money to buy and raise it, a place where it feels good and of course time and patience.

Some time passed and I got a beautiful horse named Rusty, with a white stripe on his nose and eyes that seemed to look straight into your soul. Bringing him to the farm was one of the happiest days of my life. I remember opening the gate and watching him cautiously step in, exploring the new place, then our eyes met, he sniffed me and before long decided to trust me.

Taking care of Rusty is a daily task. The day begins at dawn, when I wake up to clean the stable, and ends late at night, when I brush him after a long ride and we part for sleep. And when I drift off, I can still feel the gust of wind. There are days when the weather is so bad that I wonder how we will manage. But every moment with Rusty is worth it. I feel a deep connection with him—the way he nudges me when he wants attention, the subtle teasing when I come to see him, and the calm, steady rhythm of our rides together.

Owning a horse has taught me patience, responsibility, but the quiet joy and wild excitement with Rusty make my life wonderful. It is magical to watch him gallop, his mane blowing in the wind happily. Dreams do come true—but with them come hard work, muddy boots, and a heart fuller than you ever imagined. I love you, Rusty!