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| i could look at this all day |
Well, yesterday was on a mission to single-handedly prove me wrong and all the situations are ongoing. Huzzah.
For the past year and a half or so, I have really embraced the ammy life. Horses are a hobby and the barn is a haven. I don't go there for stress or drama or weirdness. I want to enjoy my horse. That is all. I'll admit to being rather abominably rude to my fellow boarders by being completely unsocial for most of the winter because I just needed time alone.
I realize horses mean different things to different people and I am learning to respect that.But for me, the barn is where I go to unwind. I need to feel safe. I need to relax. I need to have fun.
Because sometimes the rest of my life is the opposite of that and I need one place I can get away from it all for an hour or so and just breathe.
I'm not denying reality, but I can't handle it all the time. It is so freeing to ride my horse. I can focus on our connection and improve our ride and push all the other thoughts out of my mind.I've been really lucky at my past thee barns--each one has been a uniquely wonderful place that has allowed me to heal from different hurts.
I love to pull into the driveway and let out a sigh of relief. For a few minutes at least, I have a safe haven to relax in.
I don't know what I'd do without it.
I LOVE THIS POST.
ReplyDeleteThe barn is always a haven for me, and I literally take a deep breath to relax once I pull in the driveway! I always tell people, when in doubt: go to the barn :)
I love the first picture and this post!
ReplyDeleteHonestly there is nothing better for me during tax season than an evening alone in the indoor riding Mr P bareback. We know each other so well it's like coming home. Communication is so free and easy and everything is peaceful. Had that experience just last night. :)
Perfectly stated :)
ReplyDeleteLove it! Horses and barn time are my therapy, and I am extremely possessive and protective of that.
ReplyDeleteAll of your posts make me cheer HALLELUIA AMEN!
ReplyDeleteThis is so so so true. There's a reason I call going to the barn my therapy time, it absolutely keeps me sane when everything else is going sideways.
ReplyDeleteThis is perfect.
ReplyDeleteDitto, just ditto!
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. I pay my therapist in hay and carrots. And Nutter Butters. :-)
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Day to day my demeanor at the barn can change, most of the days I am really chatty and social with everyone there, but once in a while I just want to spend time with my horse and him alone. I try to go on off hours those days, like really early in the morning or later at night on a weekend. Those quiet moments are my favorite times.
ReplyDeleteLove the sentiment, sometimes alone time at the barn is the best
ReplyDeleteLove love love this. When I boarded, I was either really talkative or just went straight to my horse to relax. My favorite part about having him home now is the pure relaxation. Quiet times are my favorite times. This post is perfect(:
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're alone in any of this and if people don't get that, you don't have time for them anyway.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean.
ReplyDeleteThis! All of this!
ReplyDeleteHa! I would be the boarder at the barn that assumed you hated me.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty outgoing by nature and it is hard for me to remember that not everyone is like that, and that it is nothing personal.
My barn is my happy place, but I love the community it brings. I really enjoy my fellow boarders (as long as there isn't drama or backstabbing) and I like having people to ride with and talk to.
This is why my life coping mechanisms fall when I can't get to the barn.
ReplyDeleteI don't take that deep breath until I'm actually riding. I tend to rush around even at the barn. Thanks for the reminder that all the horse time should be relaxation time, even the time on the ground.
ReplyDeleteIt's a feeling like no other...
ReplyDeleteHorses are what I do to be away from the humans.
ReplyDeleteToo right! ;D
DeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteI am finding more peace and relaxation when I am with the horses and nobody else is around.
ReplyDeleteWith the drama and bullshit I have endured over the past year and a half, someone asked me if I am in counseling or seeing a therapist. Yes, twice a day, every day. My horses are very therapeutic!
I wish I got the feeling of relaxation everytime I ride, but I have a tendency to carry the stress of my day with me forever. Plus I have obscene and ridiculous riding goals that never get accomplished and that leads to more stress.
ReplyDeleteI wish it were more fun to me on a regular basis haha.
Though I really find solice in cleaning the barn. With no music or distractions, Sweeping, mucking, picking, raking, organizing. Yes.
I also boarded at a very busy, high stress/ drama filled barn for 3 years....so yeah
DeleteYesss this is so accurate.
ReplyDeleteHe a table used to be my safe haven after work, but then a friend I used to spend a lot of time with there (almost exclusively) and i have sorted drifted apart...not fallen out per se but deff not as close as we were for whatever reason & I have felt lonely at the yard since then stupidly worrying about people possibly talking behind my back.
ReplyDeleteI have been subconsciously letting thus nonsense limit my yard time and negatively affect my outlook on life & my pony-time.
Thank you for this post and reminding me that barn time is my time and if others can't be bothered to be polite and or talk to me, that is their problem not mine! I never used to care about what others did at the yard, I am looking forward to getting back to that safe haven and concentrating on me and my gorgeous girls...
Now to act on these new convictions and take back my yard time with these longer evenings and carry them on through winter next year *high-five*
This is why I made it my goal to buy my own farm and move the horses home. It took years to get it done, and it's still not really finished, but at least I'm away from the other humans. Sometimes I miss having someone to ride with, but I get a lot more done in a shorter period of time without the distractions and nobody steals my stuff or offers their two cents. I can always trailer over to a friends' house if I really want companionship.
ReplyDeleteSo true... Though my lessons are time to work and kick some ass getting stuff done :)
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDelete