Once, I wanted to become a horse handler. It was my dream.
Like many girls, I fell in love with horses quite early, probably around the age of 5. Maybe it was after a country boy put me in a stiff saddle, and we rode for about 10 minutes, chasing a herd of cows, and the wind.
Starting from 10, almost all my free time was spent at the stable. There, I found a good company and learned how to work.
At 14, my parents allowed me to go to Moscow alone. The first place I went to was the Moscow Hippodrome. I didn't want to end up in the stands and watch the races; I needed the stables, I wanted to see behind the scenes! I had no idea how to get there because access was possible only with a pass. I didn't have one, but I had one lead from our vet, Galia. She recommended trying to knock on stable No. ...
I remember how long I searched for any hole in the fence. My unsuccessful attempts prompted me to gather courage, put on an indifferent face, and quickly walk through the checkpoint.
Thanks to my newfound courage, I've had an unforgettable experience - spending hours walking horses on 'carousels' in 30-degree heat to cool them down, cleaning stalls, harnessing a rocking horse for the first time, and trotting on the track - an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life
