Awareness of the outside world. Shelby County Reporter: Brandon Horn becomes first Calera student accepted to Ivy League school, Bowen, February 28, 2023. Belated news. Just saw it an old issue of Shelby Living for sale at the feed store. I wonder how he is liking his first Hanover winter. Shelby Living: Making History, Bowen, May 14, 2023.
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At Home
I like keeping our horses at home. I have mentioned this before. [10 Little Things About Having Horses At Home 2016] [30-Year Barniversary 2022]
I really don’t mind the wet mornings, the hot days, the occasional – for us – frozen buckets.
I like the ability to go to the barn several times a day to feed or turn out, or see if Rodney wants more me time. and I can come back later. [Feeding Protocol]
I love being able to provide forever homes.
We can’t jet off to Paris on a moments notice. But would we? We’d still have dogs & cats, so arrangements still have to be made.
Daily morning walks would not be possible.
This is not likely to change, not happily, not after 30 years. [Why Not Rack Off Into The Sunset? 2019] [This Is Why I Don’t Board My Horse 2020]
Not At Home
What if we had never moved out to that first farm? What if we had never brought Previous Horse and Mathilda into the backyard? What if we boarded to this day?
No trips to the feed store for bags of feed. No unloading of hay bales. No control of what they ate.
More commuting. Fewer pitchforks.
All the vices above would be versa. For example, there would be more chance that I would rehome a horse who didn’t work out. We would probably find retirement venues for the elderly. It’s hard to keep lawn ornaments on full board.
There’s one big change that I have been thinking about lately – People.
More people. More horse friends. More news of the latest tempest in a teapot.
More chances of other horses to ride. [Other People’s Horses]
If I were looking for a new horse, I’d know more horses, more people selling horses, more trainers who might assist in the process.
More lessons. More volunteer opportunities. More clinics. More competitions.
In short, more connection to the horse world.
I’d make a lot more progress in my riding. Would I be happier? Shrug. Parts of me would.
My barn. It is enough. I am happy.
My inner jump rider howls in frustration.
[Split Personality 2017]
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 
…and the wisdom to know the difference.
Louise
True.
Three of the links are December in three different years. Clearly this is something I think about at this time of year.