What triggered or inspired your love for horses/mules?

i have always had an interest in horses. my mom actually started me into riding when i was around 5 years old(now she complains that i talk about horses too much or that i need something else in my life lol). i got bucked off within a year though. my mom pretty much paid $50 for me to pet a horse. so after a few weeks of me not riding, she stopped paying. almost 5 years later, my grandmother convinced me to give it a second try. about 10 years after i got on my first horse, i can't imagine my life without them.