The average rainfall in SoCal has surpassed Seattle this year, which has cut into my riding. I don’t have to worry about my horse (oh I love saying that!) because he’s in full training and the trainer has to worry about whether he gets hand walked or some kind of exercise. In fact, I believe that she prefers that I don’t worry about it at all. This is a very different sort of horse care than I’m used to as I’m more of a do-it-yourselfer. Since I’ve been with this particular trainer I haven’t really been allowed to do it myself. When I arrive at the barn for my lesson, my horse is groomed to a shine, the shavings are out of his tail, and he’s tacked. All I have to do is check the girth and get on. It sounds like I’m complaining because I’m spoiled. I guess I am. For me, the main pleasures of owning a horse is the caretaking, including the grooming, hand walking, even feeding and mucking. I’m not going to be able to afford full training forever so I guess I should enjoy it while I can.
After we move this summer and after the stalls and fences are up to par, I’m likely going to have to keep the schedule of my do-it-yourselfer friend who gets up at 4:30 a.m. to feed and turn out then gets ready for work, drives for nearly an hour to arrive by 7:00. She’s off by 3:30, home around 4:30 and has a few hours in the afternoon, early evening to muck, groom, fiddle, ride. That sounds like an ideal schedule to me. I don’t mind getting up before the tweety birds, in the cold and rain, for the right reasons. Horse care is the right reason. Still, I’ll try to be more grateful for what I have right now. Frankly it’s hard to get used to being spoiled. I keep thinking I’m neglecting my horse. Absolutely wrong. I’ll enjoy it and focus on getting done with my grad degree so I can graduate and move.
By the way, I got two letters in the mail, letting me know that I am qualified for two jobs I applied for recently. One is a lab job for the biology department at my alma mater. That’s the one I want. They still have to interview. I hope I’m on that list, near the top!
I found you via Amy’s site. We have quite a few things in common…biology studies, horses, and books. Oh yeah, I have a few cats, a dog, some amphibians and I live in Las Vegas! 🙂
As for the horsecare…
I have always been a do-it-yourselfer as well, even when I didn’t have to be. I think it is a crucial component of being an equestrian. Unfortunately, for the more “priviledged” they just seem to want to hop on, ride their push-button horse, hop off, and go to the spa. If you were to ask them how you clean a saddle, or what the purpose of a muck-rake is, you would just get a blank stare.
Can you ride when it rains? Can’t remember if you have a covered arena. It would seem odd to just show up and ride. Not having to groom, tack up, and clean up after yourself would be heaven to some people (spoiled-rotten-rich!), but I’m like you. I love all the grunt work. That’s part of the fun!
Enjoy all those bells and whistles while they last. You won’t have them forever, don’t worry about guilt.
Hope you get the job you want!!