I had wanted a horse since I was 8 and finally got my first horse, an Arabian mare, at age 58!! For over 10 years I rode like a wild woman on that mare who would go anywhere I asked. I can tell you the motivation is definitely NOT penis envy. It’s a relationship with another species that you need to convince it’s ok for you to be on their back. For me, there had to be mutual trust and respect. To be on a creature that powerful that’s running her heart out is indescribable, like any ecstatic moment.
This is fun, and hits close to home. My mother grew up near there and was a Saltwater Cowboy (cowgirl?) many years ago. I've been to the museum and most of what I remember is that horse Misty was extremely overstuffed--humorously so.
Sent the article to my mother, the OG Saltwater Cowgirl and I'm looking forward to her response. I think she'll hate it tbh. Farm girls didn't have a choice, it wasn't penis envy it was just what they did.
I'd say the reach for power isn't a stretch though. And really, the line between sex and power is rather thin. This was a bit Freudian for my taste, but fun all around.
Sweet story from an insightful writer. My granddaughter Daphne, who is 6, is a horse lover personified. She is otherworldly in a way because of her artistic abilities but also because she has a certain swagger in her walk; the adults in the family laugh and call her wild child or that she is feral. I know someday soon we will all be in Virginia to watch the ponies, knee deep in mud.
Wow, loved this. A beautiful story of girls and horses but a deeper tale of tame and feral, sensual and innocent obsession, control and being controlled.
Oooo yeah. This is a stunner!
I had wanted a horse since I was 8 and finally got my first horse, an Arabian mare, at age 58!! For over 10 years I rode like a wild woman on that mare who would go anywhere I asked. I can tell you the motivation is definitely NOT penis envy. It’s a relationship with another species that you need to convince it’s ok for you to be on their back. For me, there had to be mutual trust and respect. To be on a creature that powerful that’s running her heart out is indescribable, like any ecstatic moment.
This is fun, and hits close to home. My mother grew up near there and was a Saltwater Cowboy (cowgirl?) many years ago. I've been to the museum and most of what I remember is that horse Misty was extremely overstuffed--humorously so.
Sent the article to my mother, the OG Saltwater Cowgirl and I'm looking forward to her response. I think she'll hate it tbh. Farm girls didn't have a choice, it wasn't penis envy it was just what they did.
I'd say the reach for power isn't a stretch though. And really, the line between sex and power is rather thin. This was a bit Freudian for my taste, but fun all around.
Lolol your comments crack me up so much 😂
Sweet story from an insightful writer. My granddaughter Daphne, who is 6, is a horse lover personified. She is otherworldly in a way because of her artistic abilities but also because she has a certain swagger in her walk; the adults in the family laugh and call her wild child or that she is feral. I know someday soon we will all be in Virginia to watch the ponies, knee deep in mud.
Hmm. I’m not such a fan of this article. Tame or be tamed? I see horses as beautiful animals. Not sexual. Sorry I’m probably the outcast on this one.
I like the buy back.
Awesome!
This comment was deleted on 4/2/2020
Wow, loved this. A beautiful story of girls and horses but a deeper tale of tame and feral, sensual and innocent obsession, control and being controlled.
Yup. Just reread it after first reading it 1 year ago. Beautiful writing. I need to read more from Believer Magazine. Really great stuff.