The Secret to Happiness | Teen Ink
  1. Home
  2. Nonfiction
  3. Sports
  4. The Secret to Happiness

The Secret to Happiness

March 18, 2013
By holly1999 GOLD, Middlesbrough, Other
More by this author
holly1999 GOLD, Middlesbrough, Other
12 articles 8 photos 114 comments

Favorite Quote:
'There was no need to clarify my finger snap, the implication was clear in the snap itself' - Magnus Bane

View profile

Horse riding is a versatile and enjoyable activity. From a relaxing hack in the countryside to the tension and excitement of jumping against the clock, there really is something for everyone.

Whether you rode as a child and would like to pick up the reins again, have never ridden before or just want to brush up on your skills; you'll find a riding school near you to suit you needs.

If you're looking for a pastime to suit all the family, horse riding is perfect! People of all ages take it up, so don't be put off.

Imagine creating a strong bond with and animal as powerful as a horse! Many people are deterred by the size and strength of the animals, but don't be. Horses are some of the kindest and gentlest animals you will ever meet.

Imagine staring into the soulful, trusting eyes of the creature that would try it's heart out for you and ask for nothing in return.

Perfecting a new skill in the arena, going for a quiet hack or even just watching your horse graze happily is just the tonic you need after a stressful day at work or school.

© Madalyn W., Holliston, MA

Post a comment
Submit your own

Similar Articles

Previous Next
Nonfiction
A Stride Toward Home…
By Anonymous
Nonfiction
Street Junkie
By Anonymous
Nonfiction
The Celtic Football Club
By Anonymous
Nonfiction
Yoga Class
By Anonymous
Nonfiction
My New Sport
By Anonymous
Nonfiction
The Red River Rivalry
By Anonymous

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 16 comments.

Calliashi SILVER said...
on Oct. 17 2013 at 9:21 am
Calliashi SILVER, Litchfield Park, Arizona
6 articles 0 photos 74 comments

Favorite Quote:
The man with the key is king and honey, you should see me in a crown. ~James Moriarty

View profile
Another horse story! This one was just as good as the others I read :) I enjoyed this one too and you were able to connect the reader even in such a short piece.
holly1999 GOLD said...
on Oct. 16 2013 at 2:29 pm
holly1999 GOLD, Middlesbrough, Other
12 articles 8 photos 114 comments

Favorite Quote:
'There was no need to clarify my finger snap, the implication was clear in the snap itself' - Magnus Bane

View profile
Thanks everyone! :)
D0rkl0rd BRONZE said...
on Jul. 2 2013 at 11:14 am
D0rkl0rd BRONZE, Richardson, Texas
3 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Impossible is only defined by the technology and ideas of the modern age" - Me

View profile
This is amazing. You captured the beauty and emotion of not only riding horces, but also of the animals themselves. Great job, and I love that you kept it short while still giving excellent descriptions.
Cutey-Beauty SILVER said...
on Jun. 27 2013 at 9:13 am
Cutey-Beauty SILVER, Ulaanbaator, Other
6 articles 0 photos 65 comments

Favorite Quote:
Soli Deo Gloria.

View profile
Very simple-but a bit short at the end. I can feel how you feel about horses-I like horses a lot and ride whenever I can (but they're not my passion, as they are to you obviously). KEEP WRITING GIRL ;)
PhoenixCrossing GOLD said...
on Jun. 12 2013 at 10:54 pm
PhoenixCrossing GOLD, Tinley Park, Illinois
14 articles 0 photos 178 comments
View profile
The topic is very genuine and the title suits it well. You have to work on your support and thesis restatement because the whole thing sounds more like an opinion than an argument, which makes it less enticing to read.
GreekGoddess BRONZE said...
on May. 26 2013 at 10:40 am
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

View profile
I live on a horse farm so I know all about riding. This was a little bit repetative and I think you could have used to describe the horse a little bit more. So true about the tonic. Part of the problem with this was though was you didn't acknowledge that there were other pastimes or other things they might enjoy, you made it sound as though riding is the only good thing. 
Mckay ELITE said...
on May. 18 2013 at 2:27 pm
Mckay ELITE, Somewhere, Virginia
146 articles 0 photos 2230 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.&quot;<br /> &mdash;Apple&rsquo;s &ldquo;Think Different&rdquo; commercial, 1997<br /> &ldquo;Crazy people are considered mad by the rest of the society only because their intelligence isn&#039;t understood.&rdquo; <br /> ― Weihui Zhou

View profile
I've always been interested in riding horses. I've always loved horses ever since I was young. I've only mounted a horse once. But that was ages ago. This is an entertaining piece. Now, I wanna go horseback riding. 
WhenItRains21 GOLD said...
on Apr. 3 2013 at 9:21 pm
WhenItRains21 GOLD, Magnolia, Texas
12 articles 0 photos 54 comments
View profile
As a fellow horse lover and longtime rider, I feel obliged to say this doesn't come near how great it is to ride. xD
It is really great as an informative piece. It's short and concise, with no unneeded information. The only suggestion I have is that towards the end, you use "Imagine" twice to begin a paragraph. Also, "you" is used several times. Maybe this is the correct style for this type of article, but it stands out to me. 
Other than that, well done!
asdasda1 BRONZE said...
on Apr. 1 2013 at 8:44 am
asdasda1 BRONZE, Ellicott City, Maryland
2 articles 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Show me a hero and I&#039;ll write you a tragedy.&quot;<br /> ~F. Scott Fitzgerald

View profile
This made me want to take up horseback riding, hehe. It is a bit short, but it's to the point. Perhaps, though, the opening could've been a little less abrupt. Wonderful writting nonetheless.
readaholic PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 31 2013 at 6:49 pm
readaholic PLATINUM, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
27 articles 0 photos 425 comments

Favorite Quote:
I&#039;d rather fail because I fell on my own face than fall because someone tripped me up<br /> ~Jhonen Vasquez

View profile
Very good writing.  Really wants me to take up horsebackriding!  I think it could be a little longer, but it's still really good as it is :D
holly1999 GOLD said...
on Mar. 31 2013 at 2:04 pm
holly1999 GOLD, Middlesbrough, Other
12 articles 8 photos 114 comments

Favorite Quote:
&#039;There was no need to clarify my finger snap, the implication was clear in the snap itself&#039; - Magnus Bane

View profile
Thanks everyone :)
dagnytaggart said...
on Mar. 31 2013 at 1:30 pm
Short and sweet! Good writing style, it seemed youthful and fresh. And I've never been horseback riding, but I want to start now!
Literature_Darling GOLD said...
on Mar. 31 2013 at 1:12 pm
Literature_Darling GOLD, Warrenton, Virginia
14 articles 0 photos 32 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;To live is the rarest thing of all. Most people exsist and that is all.&quot; ~Oscar Wilde<br /> &quot;I am a writer quite by accident, the way one my fall and rip a hole in their jeans.&quot; ~Blogger H. B. Sachs

View profile
It was OK, there were a couple of typos and you used the word "animal" to much. All in all a good piece just be a bit more careful next time...
Laugh-it-Out PLATINUM said...
on Mar. 31 2013 at 11:02 am
Laugh-it-Out PLATINUM, Brooklyn, New York, New York
38 articles 0 photos 445 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light&quot; --Dylan Thomas

View profile
this is funny! it seems very youthfull in a surprisingly springy way. i myself took horse riding lessons for six years so I know all about the joy, and sometimes danger, that you are talking about great job!
theloverofbooks SILVER said...
on Mar. 30 2013 at 4:44 pm
theloverofbooks SILVER, Valley Stream, New York
9 articles 0 photos 9 comments
View profile
This is  very interesting persuasive article. I don't ride myself, but your reasoning made me want to! I love your choice of words: "...just watching your horse gaze happily is just the tonic you need...." So funny! The only advice I would give you would be to use less exclamation points. They are okay in informal writing, but with a more serious, buisnesslike article like this they should be used more sparingly in my opinion. Great article!
Choirgirl SILVER said...
on Mar. 30 2013 at 12:55 pm
Choirgirl SILVER, Las Cruces, New Mexico
7 articles 0 photos 22 comments
View profile
I like how this is about what brings you happiness.  I am glad that horseback riding is something that you like.  Kepp writing!