JUST SOMETHING FOR HIM TO DO – HOW I GOT INTO THE HORSE BUSINESS PART III
Written by Rocky Mountain Woman on January 25, 2012 – 12:57 pm -This post is in honor of the letter “J” and part of Jenny Matlock’s Alphabet Thursday. For more “J” posts, please click here http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/
The mares came back from the breeder. We rented a big pasture across the street from our house so they could run around for the summer, barefoot and pregnant. As the summer days got longer, I couldn’t seem to go to bed until I had walked across the street to check on the “girls”, maybe taking them a carrot or apple. I’m not sure if it was the mother in me or if I just had always been fascinated with horses and didn’t know it until then, but I fell in love with these two little mares and the idea of two baby horses the next spring really was tripping my trigger if you know what I mean! I started doing research on imprinting and training and horse care and anything else I could find about my new obsession. It was like being 16 and falling in love for the first time, I couldn’t think about anything else except my new passion. Oh Wilbur!
When the vet came out and confirmed our mares were pregnant, something in me shifted and I was changed forever. I know that sounds dramatic, but it was a life changing moment that took me completely by surprise. I had always loved animals and typically had a dog or two running around, but this was entirely different. The whole idea was to just find something for my husband to do now that he couldn’t work anymore. No one, especially me, expected this to turn into what it did. I wanted to build a bigger barn, buy a few more mares, quit my job and breed and train horses full time. The problem was that my job was our only source of income now and as anyone who has ever bred horses will tell you, it really isn’t a good way to make money, just spend money.
So I went to work every morning and then rushed home to clean stalls and groom horses. My husband just kind of stood back and watched me with this shocked look on his face. He never said it, but I think he was a little worried that I was going just a tad overboard. He had no idea how overboard I could get!
Summer turned into fall and fall became a very cold and snowy winter. We moved the mares back over to the barn behind our house and I spent every spare minute I could with them. I loved to brush them and put my hands on their swollen bellies. You could feel the colts moving around in there. I would stand for 1/2 hour at a time in the freezing barn leaning up against one of them and feeling the babies. I was hooked and there was no going back…
To be continued…
For the beginning of this story, please click on the “She Rides” category…
Posted in She Rides | 22 Comments »
January 25th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I can hardly wait for more of this story!
January 25th, 2012 at 1:43 pm
What a great life to be raising horses, I know (from my next door neighbor and the horse people across the street and well all over here, they are a lot of work too. We (my daughter and I) have done a few is it called horse-sitting! The first time she had to help clean up after (well you know how they) she was oh my…can I really do this! Fun and work all in one! Can’t wait for more stories and those cool pictures!
January 25th, 2012 at 2:01 pm
wow..what a story! I can feel the exuberance in your tone of voice, and how fascinating it would be to see those babies!
January 25th, 2012 at 2:10 pm
That is a beautiful JUMPING horse. Great photo and word
January 25th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I have a feeling I’d probably be much the same way if given the opportunity.
January 25th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Great piece of writing. It really conveys your excitement. I can really relate to this, but change “goat” for “horse.”
January 25th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Such a beautiful post about your new passion!
January 25th, 2012 at 6:11 pm
We have cousins in Olds, Alberta who raise Arabians. I have always loved to visit the horse farm when we are in Canada. What beautiful creatures they are! Your photos are lovely!!
January 25th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
I understand all this so well, I helped friends on a ranch for about 10 years and loved the horses more than any of it. You can feel their personalities..
January 25th, 2012 at 9:54 pm
How exciting. I love the photo of the little one running!
January 26th, 2012 at 1:00 am
What a wonderful story, I was right there with you in that freezing barn. You made me remember the summer when I was 13 and just discovered how beautiful horses were. They belonged to a riding school close to where we spent our vacation and I was besotted!
January 26th, 2012 at 2:11 am
ooohhh, i love this little one
January 26th, 2012 at 6:04 am
Great photo and story!
Thanks for stopping by and look forward to *seeing* you again soon.
January 26th, 2012 at 7:42 am
‘Sixteen and falling in love’ – perfect. How many can say that they’ve had this wonderful feeling at that stage in life. I look forward to reading more of this and going back to check out past ‘She Rides’ posts.
January 26th, 2012 at 11:50 am
I’m a horse lover myself, and your story is fascinating me! Can’t wait for part two.
=)
January 26th, 2012 at 1:48 pm
Oh what a great story and a precious little spotted foal!!!
God bless and have a phenomenal day sweetie!!!
January 26th, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Now my Granddaughter will want to move in with you! (she’s almost 9 and head over heels about horses).
January 26th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Funny how ‘a grand passion’ can begin! Sometimes, I think it’s just waiting to ‘find’ us. ~ Maureen
January 27th, 2012 at 1:46 am
What a fabulous story…it sounds as if you’ve found your passion for sure!
January 27th, 2012 at 4:39 am
You are preaching to the choir here. I adore horses and a baby, like that little stunner, makes me just rediculously goofy. I was bitten by the bug at 10 years of age and have yet to find a cure. Looking forward to more.
January 30th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
What wonderful justification for doing something you love!
I can picture you standing in the cold barn and feeling those warm tummies wiggle around.
This post really made me smile.
It was really neat to read part of the ‘whys’ of how you got where you are!
Thanks for sharing it.
A+
February 1st, 2012 at 5:44 am
Now I need to read more about building the house and the horses. Love how poignantly you expressed the miracle of birth.