Training Journal
If you’re riding a horse, you’ve already won.
Ooof. What can I say that you can’t read elsewhere? The only thing that bears repeating is Thank you.
Thank you to nurses and doctors caring for the sick.
Thank you to first responders going where you are needed.
Thank you to grocery store clerks who are restocking shelves and running checkout counters in situations when we-the-customers might not be at our best as human beings.
Thank you to people who are links in the supply chain: those who work in factories & canneries, those who sort and ship; those who transport, e.g. drivers, deliveryfolk, mail carriers. We can order online all we want. Someone somewhere has to make it happen.
Thank you to the people who are keeping the lights on, the water running, the cell phones working, and the Internet alternately amusing and annoying us.
Thank you to anyone I have overlooked who is, as Mike Rowe says in Dirty Jobs, making civilized life possible for the rest of us.
A post by Journey with a Dancing Horse: Gratitude in Uncertain Times (Bloghop) reminded me of others who should not be forgotten: veterinarians and feed stores, lab techs and non-medical hospital workers. The list really goes on doesn’t it? BTW, my gratitude list looks a lot like hers: family safe from virus (crosses fingers), horses in the backyard, places to walk, spring weather, entertaining husband, and so on.
Finally, thank you to all folks staying home and staying out of the way.
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In the normal course of things (Ha!) we would continue to ship hither and yon to take advantage of better footing and enclosed spaces. That’s not happening. Instead, we are making a virtue out of necessity.
We could still go places. Barns in my area are open, subject to restrictions. The arenas are either open air or covered. No indoors. We tend to arrive when no one else is around. If other folks are present, we mostly wave at them from across an open parking lot. Social distance before it was cool.
The only common spaces we use are the restrooms. That could be handled, if needed. Or not handled, as it were. See above re no one else around.
Is it possible? Yes. Is it allowed under current state and local guidelines? Yes. Is it essential? No. So we have chosen to stay home. At some point, we needed to work on getting everyone comfortable working in the backyard. That time is now.
For Rodney, we will treat the pasture as a new place, gradually allowing him to adjust to the workspace [Peeling The Emotional Onion]. He’ll just have to get over his cow obsession [Cow TV].
Milton is cool at home. His issue is one of facilities. We don’t have a good place to drive. Plus, for now, I flat out refuse to be party to hitching him without supervision. We are working on developing more practice cart/sleds for him to pull. Our first one got old and has disintegrated [Practice Cart, Milton Gets Shafted]. Will keep you posted.
As for riding, I will put on my super-strength big girl britches and get on my own d*mn horse in my own d*mn backyard, without the comforting support of the SSF round pen [Old Arena].
Both will go on lots and lots of pasture walks [Team Ride]. Perhaps by the end of all this, we will be able to ride at home and save traveling for lessons and occasional outings.
We good. How you?
Stay safe. Stay sane.
Katherine Walcott
Virtual Brush Box 