7 Times Equestrians Just Cannot Adult
Being a horse person comes with its own set of challenges. Somehow, we’ve got to find enough time in the day to do all the usual things – work, look after our families, eat, sleep – and squeeze riding and horse care time in there, too.
Time management, for sure, is not an equestrian’s strong suit. But there are other issues we face, too.
Horses are magical creatures, and they work wonders on the brains of adults who love them. It’s also like time comes to a standstill when we’re at the barn. Any adult-like worries, like cooking dinner or sending off that last report to your boss, flee from the mind when you’re at the barn.
Horses are good at putting life into perspective, too. They make it all just a little bit more fun. It’s almost like even as full grown people, we just cannot adult when we’re around horses. For example….
401k or new shiny things for your horse?
Gosh, the struggle is real. I REALLY want a new burgundy tack set but should I really be splurging when I could be saving more money to… oh I don’t know, buy a house? Retire? Vet bills? No you’re right. I DO need the tack set.
Crying over Instagram videos.
You know what I’m talking about. Instead of checking your emails or going to bed early to hit the gym before work, you’re casually scrolling through social media in bed when you are struck right in the heart by some sappy video of a rescue horse’s transformation or a rider coming back from an injury. It hits you hard right in the feels.
We’re down with dirt.
There’s nothing quite like rocking a good dirt mustache at the Cracker Barrel on the side of the Interstate after a long horse show day. Your body is just too worn out to care about anything but carbs. Then there’s always the motel pool waiting for you and your awful horse show farmer’s tan once your roll your stuffed self out of said restaurant.
Alarms only work on horse show mornings.
Speaking of horse shows… Equestrians seem to have no issue getting up at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning when they’re competing but any weekday morning, getting to work by 9 a.m. is a real stretch.
Boot removal is a two-person job.
Tall boots sure do look great when you’re in the saddle. But after a full day of riding, nothing feels better than getting those suckers off your feet. Even with innovative zippers on the back, sometimes we just can’t and need an extra set of hands to pull them off.
Call the vet but never the doctor.
Care is top of mind no matter what, for our horse. Oh the photos of lumps and bumps I’ve texted to my vet at all hours. But I’ll limp around weeks or months with a mystery injury and avoid making a doctor’s appointment at all costs. Advil goes a long way…
Sleepover revival.
One of my favorite byproducts of horse show weekends is getting to bunk with my barn friends in the trailer living quarters or a hotel. Some of the greatest memories are made over drinks in these funky motel rooms on the side of the highway.