The Crazy Horse Girl Stereotype

Growing up, I was called the crazy horse girl a lot and in some ways, maybe I was a little crazy. Playing imaginary horse games with my friends at recess where we ran around riding our pretend horses. The thing was, though, that as the only resident equestrian in the group of imaginative kids, all of the rude remarks and stereotypes regarding horse girls were directed at me despite other kids participating equally. I was punished for having an imagination, for having something I was passionate enough to talk about in class and do projects on. I would look on at the boys who were the very same fanatic way about soccer or hockey and it was accepted. No one ever called them crazy for their passion, it was fine.

Flash forward to high school and it only gotten worse. I’m sure virtually all horse women can attest to the fact that the whole “ride me like you ride your horse” was a frequent pick up line used on us. Some may say that this was a compliment but in all honesty it’s just creepy and gross, unless you’re into bestiality and that’s also creepy and gross. On top of this, the sexual remarks also turned to insults “At least I don’t fuck horses” and so on and so forth. The sexualization of horseback riding is always something that has mystified me. I spend pretty equal time with my horses as I do with my dog and cat, yet I’ve never had a man question my love for my dog and turn it into something sexual. The hypersexualization of women who ride horses predominately comes from men, but in turn, these insults and demeaning remarks are used by women who think it’s something that will give them an edge in an argument.

The truth of the matter is that I think all of these things come from a lack of security. Insecure men who are put off by the independence, bravery and drive that so many horse people show. Insecure women who feel the need to knock other women down, latching onto the first insult that pops into their mind despite the fact that it falls short. I’m sure a lot of you reading this have dealt with this and for those of you in high school or who frequent the internet where you may run into insecure men and women, you probably hear it a lot.

In high school, I neglected to post much about my horses despite the fact that they were an important part of my life. I didn’t want to share my passion where anyone from school could see it in case they’d use it to make fun of me. I regret that immensely now. Horses have been a large part of shaping who I am and I don’t think many people can say they have a sport they’ve been dedicated to for the majority of their life with little in ways of a break. Horseback riding taught me strength, patience, overcoming adversity and most importantly, how to handle a large and unpredictable animal, something that teaches a lot of training skills that can cross over to other species. Horses have become my career now and I can happily say that I’m earning more money than a lot of people who make fun of me. Using the horse girl trope to put me down doesn’t really hold the same basis anymore when it’s quite literally been the driving factor behind my success and independence in creating my own business.

So, to those of you who are still experiencing the ridicule that comes from this stupid stereotype, I implore you to start asking these people why they think so much about having sex with animals. Maybe suggest a therapist. It says a lot more about the people behind these watered down insults than it says about any woman within the equestrian world. Normal people with animals that they love and spend time with don’t think about them sexually. The fact that guys do this about horses should really be the only embarrassing thing in relation to this. Do not let some small minded person with such a small vocabulary that they have to latch onto making fun of someone over the animals they spend time with. Do not let someone who is likely afraid to touch a horse let alone ride one make you feel small. Don’t let them change how often you share about an important factor in your life. They’re the weird ones. They’re the ones with the problem and to be honest, if they go out of their way to slight you for something so stupid, take it as a compliment because they’re probably intimidated by you. If you can handle a spooky horse, some bully with lame insults is a cake walk to deal with.

Be proud of what you do. The hockey guys get away with it. The soccer fans get away with it. We can, too. This sport is equally, if not more, complex and we truly never start learning. Working with animals adds an extra variable to our sport and makes it so we constantly have to adjust our training style to keep learning, not all horses are the same, there isn’t a cookie cutter way to ride and handle them. To be a rider, you have to be adaptable. You have to be brave and you have to love the sport. All of these qualities will positively impact you in life and you’re apart of something far bigger than you realize, don’t let people ruin it for you. It’s time we make those who perpetuate the weird horse girl trope and sexualize riding feel stupid for thinking this way because frankly, it’s gross and weird. I’ll never be ashamed of being dedicated to my sport and I’ll never regret all of the incredible people and animals I’ve met because of this sport.

You do have to be a little crazy to dedicate so much time and money to being in the horse world but that level of craziness is no different from those who dedicate several hours a week to their respective sports. We are all just merely doing what it takes to meet the goals we set for ourselves. We are no different.

Be proud and enjoy the ride.