What I Learned at Farmstead
I learned so much from my time spent at Farmstead Riding Academy.
I learned what a tick was. The dogs were always covered in them from running around in the woods and the adults would sit for hours talking and burning the ticks off the dogs.
I learned about Founder. There was another Appaloosa State Champion stabled there named Little John. One day he Foundered while out in the field. It took them over 3 hours to walk him 200 yards into the barn for treatment.
I learned from watching Janine that any horse could become something special with time and effort.
I learned that the coolest horses can also be the meanest. My horse for example had to be tied in his stall during working hours, because he would lunge at any passer-bys. He once bit my trainer’s 3 year old daughter. Lucas also ate many of my lunches and loved pulling my saddle into his stall for play.
I learner that sometimes fences are unable to hold back the spirit that yearns to be free.
Another time, I learned about jumping in western saddles while wearing a bra. Even a little training bra does not work well with the horn of the saddle. I was out on Sugar, a little white Arabian, and took her over a downed log. I leaned forward into my jumping position and got caught on the horn....snap.
I learned about Heat Rashes. I was in blue jeans all summer long in 102 degree weather. I noticed one day that my legs had turned a nice shade of blue and had to be medicated.
I learned that Herpes Simplex II was a disgusting disease that I never wanted to catch. Lee Carhart had purchased a horse and that was his show name. Herpes was his lovable barn name for short. I didn’t have any idea it was a venereal disease, but my mother told me it was gross and something I never wanted.
I learned that people come and go as do horses. And you should learn all that you can from them while they are still in your life.
Mmost of all, I learned that horses and farming is hard work, but always completely worth it.
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