Barn Therapy

E had a terrible day at school earlier this week. Lots of tears and general hormonal upset. After talking it all out I asked if she wanted to go out to the barn. She wasn't too sure but agreed to go anyway.

We spent an hour or two cleaning and riding and loving on the horses. When E got in the car to go home she said "Mom, that was just what I needed." All was right in her world again.

So we have a new deal - whenever she feels like the day has been too much and her emotions are out of control, all she has to do is ask to go to the barn. I promised to find a way to get her there, no matter what.

If only all our problems could be so easily taken care of.....

English, anyone?

Taking Chance for a spin.

E. had an opportunity to ride a different horse out at the horse barn yesterday. Chance is a beautiful Morgan with a pretty little gait. E's never ridden a gaited horse before, so she wasn't sure what she should expect. After trotting around the arena a few times she decided that posting, and English style riding in general, has a purpose after all! Bouncing along in her big ol' Western pleasure saddle wasn't all that comfortable. But she did enjoy Chance's floaty canter. She also really liked the fact that he actually responds to her leg cues, unlike Curly - whose first response to any request is a big "No!"

After spending some time riding this new guy E. has decided that taking some English riding lessons might be fun. Our barn manager has offered Chance for our use while Curly heals, so this is a definite possibility. And who knows, maybe a gaited horse is in her future!

Land Lust

When we first moved to our town, I was overjoyed to finally own a home. And the place we purchased was especially nice, having many beautiful gardens and an absolutely magnificent maple tree in the backyard. The lot wasn't big, but it was all that I needed and wanted. And the fact that my husband can walk to work in 10 minutes is a huge bonus, too.

Over the past nine years my husband and I have overseen some pretty big remodeling projects to make the house fit our lifestyle better. And I'd like to think the changes we've made have improved the quality of our old house.

Then I discovered my love of horses. And guess what - my perfect house doesn't seem so perfect anymore.

I want land, lots of land. Okay, maybe not that much, but definitely more than my current .16 acres. I check the real estate ads obsessively now, looking for the perfect lot to build my dream barn, um, I mean house, on. My ideal place is still close to hubby's work - preferably within bicycling distance - and at least 3 acres. I've even picked out some house plans that I think I'd like to build. (I've researched sustainable building and alternative energy sources for home heating for many years -- so wanting to build a house such as the one in the link is nothing new.) Unfortunately, the land around here is not inexpensive anymore. I found my perfect lot - to the tune of $325,000! I'd like to spend that much on the land and the house. Then I'd still be able to possibly build my dream barn....

Complicating the whole issue is the fact that hubby M doesn't want to move. That 10 minute walk to work is extremely important to him, plus he just plain likes our house.

I'm constantly torn by my desire to own our own acreage where we keep our horses, a couple of goats and the random chicken. But our current setup works okay. Sure, I have to drive 20 minutes to go see the horse, but by boarding I gain the freedom to travel and I also benefit from the social aspects of being at a barn with lots of people around.

If only I could find a lot to build my strawbale house that was next door to a place to board the horse, all within walking distance of work.....