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Thursday, March 5, 2015

Havens

i could look at this all day
I told myself that after the ongoing cluster that was last year, this year had to be better. Right?

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.




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30 comments:

  1. JennMarch 5, 2015 at 7:26 AM

    I LOVE THIS POST.
    The 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 :)

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  2. AnonymousMarch 5, 2015 at 7:43 AM

    I love the first picture and this post!

    Honestly 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. :)

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  3. KellyMarch 5, 2015 at 7:44 AM

    Perfectly stated :)

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  4. emmaMarch 5, 2015 at 7:46 AM

    Love it! Horses and barn time are my therapy, and I am extremely possessive and protective of that.

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  5. Alli + DinoMarch 5, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    All of your posts make me cheer HALLELUIA AMEN!

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  6. AnonymousMarch 5, 2015 at 7:57 AM

    This 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.

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  7. TheFoxRiderMarch 5, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    This is perfect.

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  8. Boss Mare EventingMarch 5, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    Ditto, just ditto!

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  9. HeatherMarch 5, 2015 at 8:27 AM

    It's so true. I pay my therapist in hay and carrots. And Nutter Butters. :-)

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  10. Nicku BMarch 5, 2015 at 8:37 AM

    Agreed! 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.

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  11. redheadlinsMarch 5, 2015 at 8:59 AM

    Love the sentiment, sometimes alone time at the barn is the best

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  12. KalinMarch 5, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    Love 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(:

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  13. Madeline C.March 5, 2015 at 10:10 AM

    I 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.

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  14. JodiMarch 5, 2015 at 10:11 AM

    I know exactly what you mean.

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  15. A Gift HorseMarch 5, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    This! All of this!

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  16. ShaunaMarch 5, 2015 at 10:15 AM

    Ha! I would be the boarder at the barn that assumed you hated me.

    I'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.

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  17. Lauren @ She Moved To TexasMarch 5, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    This is why my life coping mechanisms fall when I can't get to the barn.

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  18. SarahMarch 5, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    I 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.

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  19. Amy @ Diary of a Horse Obsessed GirlMarch 5, 2015 at 11:21 AM

    It's a feeling like no other...

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  20. AndreaMarch 5, 2015 at 2:02 PM

    Horses are what I do to be away from the humans.

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  21. Karen MMarch 5, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    Yes!

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  22. Cut-N-JumpMarch 5, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    I am finding more peace and relaxation when I am with the horses and nobody else is around.

    With 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!

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  23. UnknownMarch 5, 2015 at 6:12 PM

    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.

    I 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.

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    Replies
    1. UnknownMarch 5, 2015 at 6:13 PM

      I also boarded at a very busy, high stress/ drama filled barn for 3 years....so yeah

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  24. MeganMarch 5, 2015 at 7:23 PM

    Yesss this is so accurate.

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  25. AoifeMarch 6, 2015 at 10:33 AM

    He 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.
    I 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*

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  26. A Work In ProgressMarch 6, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    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.

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  27. KarleyMarch 6, 2015 at 3:28 PM

    So true... Though my lessons are time to work and kick some ass getting stuff done :)

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  28. MicaylahMarch 11, 2015 at 10:43 AM

    Agreed!

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