A Good Horse

I think the horse is about men. Although she has found a good one and it gives her a shakey hand as she knows it, she knows she hasnt changed. No matter what new heart she takes on and what promises she keeps she will always be the same woman.

I think it's about picking yourself back up and trying again, whatever that may mean to you.

Making a resolution to yourself to keep going, finding a new reason to fight.

"I've been whining about a fresh start"

Realizing that words aren't enough and you must take action for things to get better...if you've been repeating all your old mistakes over and over you're never going to get anywhere...

"Eyes burning on the quicksand And I run it through the hollow land I've fed it with a shaky hand I found myself a strong horse"

Keeping your hope/reason alive through all the shit life throws your way, or all the shit you have put yourself through. Rediscovering your strength and nurturing that hopeful part of you no matter how small or weak it's become...being a survivor. The following lines support this theme too.

"Yes I've found myself a strong horse But things remain not different then before"

The reality may not change but your perspective can, and that's what matters and gets you through.

She realizes she's found a good man, but now it's up to her to stick to him, keep a promise to stay.

You can start a horse (i.e. train it to be ridden) by riding it through heavy sand, so it cannot easily buck you off. Riding it through hollow land can refer to testing it's endurance. Feeding a horse from your hand requires trust - an arm's length is close, and a horse can rear or kick you in the face when you feed it like that. Hence the shaky hand.

In short, she really went the stretch to be with a guy, even though she has not been the type for that.

From the start, she says that 'it takes no match to give her a spark / she's trying out another heart': she falls in love easily, she tries partners out quickly. But now, she found a good one. She tried him out with whatever challenges she could, and he is still with her. She's found that she can commit to the relationship, live 'like one must'. 'Ride with the dust in my face' means she can get through hard times with him, sit it out (whereas at other times, she would leave) - still feeling graceful, proud.

[Edit: Explain the shaky hand]

She found someone she feels something for. She's independent. The "horse" may be having a difficult time dealing with this independence or perhaps the character is now free to explore her independence in a committed relationship. That is what we ultimately hope for.

Don't you think it's like her declaring being a good horse for someone? This music also gives me a welcoming sensation of freedom...

"To live like I must And ride with the dust in my face" It's like a melody that resembles country and being free like a horse! :)