I don’t want to cheapen the moment by waxing euphoric, but can I share my love of Barn Time?
I think there are many out there who share my affection for and dedication to those hours spent quietly amongst horses.
Lately, the barn has been my church. It's where I come for peace of mind and distraction from the less pleasant aspects of my world. It’s where I appreciate and feel appreciated.
During the summer months, after the stalls are mucked, I like to plop myself down on a wooden box and kick back with the three mares.
The tack room radio plays, but what I hear most clearly is the sound of the horses chewing hay, the swishing of tails, the relaxed steps to the water, the draw and dribble of their drinking.
Ain’t it musical?
The smells are therapeutic, too.
I get plenty of reaction when I wear my NickerNews “Your Horsesh*t is My Aromatherapy” t-shirts around town.
But it’s true, ain’t it? Horse folk understand.
And it's not just horseshit, but horse breath, and horse coat. I’ve noticed that my pony, Pep, emanates the nicest, most horsey smell.
Each one smells like a horse, of course, but have you noticed that different horses smell distinctive?
I linger at the barn more in the summer. It’s warm and light enough to see, finally.
But even when I’ve got on five layers, I often hunker down on the stoop to pause. Just for a moment, to watch their frosty breaths and peer with them into the darkness. And be thankful.
Feel free to share your thoughts!
another great article, Maddy, and one that so many can relate to. I love the smell of my horse, the softness of her coat, the golden tips of the red hair, her patience with me thru our two year founder recovery, her telling me to hurry up with breakfast and dinner, her kind eye, the nose bumps when a "good girl"treat is expected. There is nothing about my horse that I don't love. And I do get a chuckle out of people saying "your car stinks" when they get in it in the winter time, heat blasting and filling the cabin with the sweet smell of manure
Boy Oh boy! you said it all!!!
I tell my family I am headed to the barn to lower my blood presure!! The barn is the best place to be all year round.
I totally agree! I love how the barn smells and the sounds from the horse...even the noise of a fly in the window doesn't bother me like it does in the house. When I'm so tired after working all day and I get home and think, I just don't feel like going outside to do more work...once I get out to the barn, that all goes away and I end up out there for as long as I can. Once all the real work is done, I just like puttering around my barn with the critters and in the tack room. The smell of leather and leather cleaners and the smells in the grain room are all so sweet. But, nothing beats the smell of my horse! hugging my horse is wonderful...and when he hugs back is best! everything horse smelling is my aromatherapy.
The smell of a horse is the best smelling perfume I know of. I spent this morning brushing bodies, combing manes and tails, etc., and they just loved it. When I was done, all three of them just hung around hoping for more. What more could one ask for? Also, my husband fixed up a mister for them so that they can get cooled off during this hot hot summer we are having here in SC. After a misting session they go for a roll in the roundpen. Love it!!!