This article brings up some interesting points. I've always wondered what is it about horses that makes preteen girls turn to mush.
"Of course this kind of thing happens because they're being asked to do something their bodies aren't able to do."
This is not far from true way too often.
Oops.............. This is not far from true way to often.
I'm very tired. Gotta go to sleep.
"..... race horses are -- like most domesticated animals -- almost universally laudable creatures. They try hard, do not complain and do not get in much off-the-track trouble. They're pure.
And they are absolutely beautiful, at rest and especially in motion."
I'm no preteen girl, lol, decades past those days, but these absolutely beautiful creatures turn me to mush too. I just hope all the fabulous care he's getting, along with what seems to be an intelligent understanding that people are working with him to HELP him, will lead to the best possible outcome. He deserves many happy years on the farm, doing the stud thing, if possible.
pattyjo
"I've always wondered what is it about horses that makes preteen girls turn to mush."
Horses are frequently better looking than pre-teen or teenage boys. Are too, are too! They're big handsome/beautiful animals who rely heavily on human beings for their care. And young women love to take care of them.
Learning to ride well gives young women (anyone, really) the opportunity to feel a sense of mastery and power over an enormous animal. As well as a sense of mastery over one's own self. It's a challenge to be in charge of a 1,000+ pounds of horse flesh. It requires courage, singlemindedness, self reliance, problem-solving, poise, and countless other things a young women might not be called upon to practice in any other arena.
Not to mention how much fun it is to ride. Riding through a field at a full gallop at 11-years-old is as terrific as it is at any other age. Difference being, young women rarely feel as independent and as in charge as they do atop a horse.
I could go on and on but I imagine that will help you understand what isn't even a question for young women. They're big, they're beautiful, they need stuff, they're fun, and they give young women a tremendous sense of independence. That about wraps it up.