With the Holiday Season upon us already it got me thinking about, well, the holidays and how horse people celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas. Let’s all be honest our priorities are, in
general, a little different than those outside the horse world and the holidays are no exception.
Take, for example, a friend of mine who, for many years, spent her Thanksgiving at an endurance ride. No, really, she would pack up the RV, the horse and her husband and spend Thanksgiving at the ride. She loved doing that and looked forward to it every year. I guess everyone attending would make a dish and they would eat Thanksgiving dinner outside at the ride camp. If you think about it maybe that is truly a Thanksgiving tradition that is closer to what the first Thanksgiving actually was like.
Personally I never attended an Endurance ride on Thanksgiving, but I have ridden on that holiday. Picture this- everyone in the family is gathered anticipating the holiday feast of Turkey and all the trimmings, but me I wondering when would be the best time to mention I’ m heading for the barn to go for a ride. It can be tricky – I usually like to wait until the Turkey is in the oven and some of the side dishes have been prepared. I also like to help with clean up a couple times before I go. Once Turkey is in I usually casually ask “so when will he be done?” and when I get my answer that’s when I make my announcement about the annual Thanksgiving ride. It’s at this point I grab my jacket and bolt for the door (if you have co-conspirators who want to ride that helps). So I’m always thankful for a family that understands and puts up with it. They have even come to expect the trip back to the barn after dinner to give the Thanksgiving carrots and apple treats to the horses.
Have you noticed when you say to family members I’d really like a new bridle, saddle, or horse blanket for Christmas they look at you like you’re from Mars? Then they will say something like “ that’s a gift for the horse not you,” and you can’t seem to explain to them that’s what is what you really, really want for Christmas. Oh sometimes if say new riding boots and riding gloves, you know apparel, I will actually get that as a gift. Hey one of the best Christmas gift I ever got was new winter Muck Boots from my Mom. I realize people don’t really understand you running around the house with a big grin on your face after you open those new boots, but, really, having warm dry feet while you muck the stalls is a great gift to horsewoman. Sometimes they get it – like the year my sister-in-law gave me an Arabian World Magazine. I was in heaven, in fact I still have that magazine from 1980. Then there was the book about training your horse for Dressage that my sister gave me. I still have, and love, that book even though it is well worn and dog eared now. Another great gift I received was the painting my brother did of the first horse I had when I was about 9 or 10 years old. Then there was the hand carved Spirit Horse my other brother made decorated with mane hair of my gelding Omar. Again I’m thankful for a family who, for the most part, understands what horsewomen want for Christmas. Hey, some of them have even participated occasionally in my Christmas ride/drive. But I’m still waiting to receive a horse for Christmas. Who knows maybe it will happen.
Have a great Holiday Season everyone! Give your horse a carrot on Seasoned Rider. May the Horse Be With You in 2015.
general, a little different than those outside the horse world and the holidays are no exception.
Take, for example, a friend of mine who, for many years, spent her Thanksgiving at an endurance ride. No, really, she would pack up the RV, the horse and her husband and spend Thanksgiving at the ride. She loved doing that and looked forward to it every year. I guess everyone attending would make a dish and they would eat Thanksgiving dinner outside at the ride camp. If you think about it maybe that is truly a Thanksgiving tradition that is closer to what the first Thanksgiving actually was like.
Personally I never attended an Endurance ride on Thanksgiving, but I have ridden on that holiday. Picture this- everyone in the family is gathered anticipating the holiday feast of Turkey and all the trimmings, but me I wondering when would be the best time to mention I’ m heading for the barn to go for a ride. It can be tricky – I usually like to wait until the Turkey is in the oven and some of the side dishes have been prepared. I also like to help with clean up a couple times before I go. Once Turkey is in I usually casually ask “so when will he be done?” and when I get my answer that’s when I make my announcement about the annual Thanksgiving ride. It’s at this point I grab my jacket and bolt for the door (if you have co-conspirators who want to ride that helps). So I’m always thankful for a family that understands and puts up with it. They have even come to expect the trip back to the barn after dinner to give the Thanksgiving carrots and apple treats to the horses.
Have you noticed when you say to family members I’d really like a new bridle, saddle, or horse blanket for Christmas they look at you like you’re from Mars? Then they will say something like “ that’s a gift for the horse not you,” and you can’t seem to explain to them that’s what is what you really, really want for Christmas. Oh sometimes if say new riding boots and riding gloves, you know apparel, I will actually get that as a gift. Hey one of the best Christmas gift I ever got was new winter Muck Boots from my Mom. I realize people don’t really understand you running around the house with a big grin on your face after you open those new boots, but, really, having warm dry feet while you muck the stalls is a great gift to horsewoman. Sometimes they get it – like the year my sister-in-law gave me an Arabian World Magazine. I was in heaven, in fact I still have that magazine from 1980. Then there was the book about training your horse for Dressage that my sister gave me. I still have, and love, that book even though it is well worn and dog eared now. Another great gift I received was the painting my brother did of the first horse I had when I was about 9 or 10 years old. Then there was the hand carved Spirit Horse my other brother made decorated with mane hair of my gelding Omar. Again I’m thankful for a family who, for the most part, understands what horsewomen want for Christmas. Hey, some of them have even participated occasionally in my Christmas ride/drive. But I’m still waiting to receive a horse for Christmas. Who knows maybe it will happen.
Have a great Holiday Season everyone! Give your horse a carrot on Seasoned Rider. May the Horse Be With You in 2015.
Cheryl Childs/Editor Daily Hoof Beat
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