‘Horse and Women Connection’ Research Summary from Jeanette Garrett

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My purpose in interviewing a number of horsewomen in my locality was to research the undeniable connection women in particular have with horses. I was doing this with a view to creating an interesting idea for a TV documentary or series.

I placed a small article in a local village newspaper – inviting women to come forward for and interview which could include a mini session with their horse and myself – most women rode / worked their horses for me. I interviewed nine women in total.

I have to say I really enjoyed every interview - fascinating, individually different, enlightening would be some of the words I would use to describe the interviews. I am sincerely grateful for the time they gave me and the willingness to share with me what they felt the individual connection they have with their horse.

The women involved came from a wide range of horse experience - those that had been brought up with horses, some that rode as a child and later in life rediscovered horses and those that have taken up horse ownership much later in life, others that have always had the passion for horses but with no family members with the slightest interest in horses with parents that lived in wonder as to where their child had got their passion for horses.
The women enjoyed different activities – riding out for pleasure, endurance riding, local and registered competitions - dressage and jumping- showing, and natural horsemanship.

So what did the connection mean to each individual women – again a arrange of things, words used where ‘freedom’ the freedom to gallop along a beach, ‘Me time’, time to just BE with my horse - caring for them or riding them was like a therapy- emotional and mental wellbeing. To be ‘at one’ with their horse replenishes something in them.

An independence to be on your own with your horse – TRUST was a word often used some found it easier to trust their horse than certain people. A need to nurture/care for but also to be ‘in charge’ too!

The women spoke of how they came to own their particular horse. This being another strong area the women felt that they had an instinct that the horse was the right one for them – a ‘meant to be aspect’. In the past they may have been offered lots of advice when selecting a horse but the one they have now they selected on that ’feel right – gut instinct.

All of those women I interviewed spoke of the friendships they had found thro there interest in horses, these friends created a camaraderie and a support system for each other.

With some interviews I was able to talk to other family and friends of the women – this gave me some interesting feedback and insight as to the impact of having a ‘horse in the family’. So much so that I feel this angle would be a strong one to base a TV program around. Still based around the connection a family member/s connection with horses but to include the immediate family members for their ‘take’ on what it meant to have a passionate horse lover/s in the family.

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