04/02/2022
I first saw this article when it came out a few years ago, but every time I see it again, I am reminded how every single sentiment of it rings true. The experiences we have at the barn - from the horses we ride and care for, the work we put in to maintain them, to the friends we make - are truly unique and absolutely life changing.
I have a fairly large and ever growing group of lesson students, a handful of which have been indoctrinated into the barn rat life. Whenever these kids show up to the barn they are all there. Scrubbing buckets, offering newer students additional support, organizing the tack room, you name it; these kids are here for it.
Every so often I get a call from a parent apologizing for how much their kid has been around and how they don't have to come as often. I will scream this from the rooftops: do not apologize for your kid deciding their happy place is at the barn. When I set out to create my program, that's exactly what I dreamed it would become.
I get it - the drive out is annoying, they smell like a barn when they get back home, and horse treat residue going through the washing machine is annoying. But man, are these kids happy. They forgot where their phones were for hours, they smiled the entire time, they met their new best friend from a couple towns over. I get to sit back and watch these kids mature into responsible, dedicated, kind individuals who have words of encouragement for everyone and a work ethic that cannot be beat.
So please, parents, stop worrying your kids are annoying me. I do not care that maybe they aren't the most helpful as they learn how to do particular things to care for the horses - that's a time investment I am willing to make. I do not care that they have endless questions - I will happily answer each and every one of them, or set them up on the path to find the answer. I do not care if they make mistakes, because not only do they own their mistakes, they set out to fix them. In ten years time, you'll be thankful they spent so much time at the barn.
BY PONYMOMAMMY I feel like I am constantly trying to justify the expense of the horses to my husband. I get it. It’s not cheap, and it doesn’t ever end. My go-to defense of “bays over boys” is a strong argument as we are approaching high school, but really the more important factor to me [.....
