There’s a language older than words, spoken in breath, energy, and intent. It’s not something you can force, nor is it something you can learn from a book. It’s felt. It’s lived. It’s the quiet magic between horse and rider, where trust replaces tension and understanding flows without a single word spoken.
I’ve always known this language in my bones. I felt it in the saddle before I even had words for it—long before I realized that this was something rare, something powerful.
Take Tassie, my childhood mustering horse. She was electric—high-energy, headstrong, and not for the faint-hearted. Most riders couldn’t hold her, but she was always my pick. It wasn’t because I was the strongest or the most skilled; it was because I chose her. Every single time. Through deep black mud, down near-vertical banks, swimming rivers, and pushing the angriest bulls—she never hesitated. She trusted me because I trusted her first.
Then there was Tiffany, a grey Anglo-Arab I leased for pony club. She was known for refusing jumps, her riders forced to use a whip to get her over obstacles. But with me? It was different. I never needed force—just presence. I saw the stride before she took it, and she felt that. The rhythm of our breath, our confidence, our belief—it was enough.
Fast forward to today, and my palomino, Bon, still reminds me of this unspoken connection. He whinnies the moment I step outside, trots beside the car as I drive up the paddock, and seems to know exactly where we’re going before I even clip the lead rope. I don’t just tell him; I show him. I send him mental images—of the float ride, the paddocks, the reward at the end. And he understands.
Some call it intuition. Science tells us horses read micro-expressions, body language, and energy. But I believe it’s something deeper—something woven into the fabric of the horsewoman’s soul. When we slow our minds, when we feel instead of force, when we learn to ask the right questions, the connection transforms. The lead rope becomes unnecessary. The whip gathers dust. And what’s left is trust—raw, unbreakable, timeless.
And that trust is what defines a true horsewoman.
On December 7, 2024, Kaci O’Rourke and her horse, The Firemen, made history by becoming the first woman to win the NRHA Futurity Level 4 Open. This monumental achievement is a testament to the unbreakable bond between horse and rider, built on trust, intuition, and mutual respect. Being a horsewoman means trusting your instincts, believing in your horse, and persevering against the odds. Whether mustering cattle in the outback, competing in barrel racing, or enjoying a sunset ride, this profound connection defines us.
To every woman who has ever whispered to her horse, felt the answer before the question was asked, and poured her heart into every ride—you are part of something ancient and powerful.
Congratulations to Kaci O’Rourke and all country women chasing their dreams and connecting deeply with their beautiful horses.
Original photo credit: Jen Kasper Media
