My trans son was an emotional wreck at age 5 and although I suspected that he was queer I didn't know what was going on.
So I took him for horse riding lessons.
In a place where you were required to groom and also be there with the farrier.
My kid has almost no memory of this.
But I do.
He did great.
I love horses. They also terrify me.
It was good for all of us.
Oh there's a story.
#horses
1/

I signed up for lessons for myself.
Two lessons.
Climbing onto a 3000 pound animal was terrifying. I'm not okay with it.
My mom came along, and I told her that no matter what my younger son did she could not release him from his stroller.
He was 3 and very fast.
My mom said okay.
I got on a horse, terrified.
#horses

I got on my horse after establishing a relationship with her, and then I saw my 3yo running through the pastures full of horses.
I flipped to look at my mom.
"He was Loud!"
My glare singed the planet.
Meanwhile the people AND DOGS who worked on the ranch went after my 3yo as I jumped off the horse.
Because there were lakes.
#horses

3 adult humans and 2 Australian shepherds brought down my son before he could drown.
Because my mother didn't listen.
I got on a horse one more time.
It's terrifying.
They're huge!
But I did it.
My mom said - never tell anyone else about this.
I just stared at her.
I never told anyone until after she died
PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO PARENTS.
#horses