Autumn Ambivalence Be Gone!

We’re back!!!  I counted it up in my record book.  It’s been 94 days since I was able to ride both Admiral and Nutmeg.  The ironic part, I really didn’t want to go to the barn last night.

We have had an amazing run of nice weather this fall.  80’s and sunshine every day for weeks on end.  While other parts of the country have been suffering from droughts or monsoons, we’ve been soaking up the incredible weather, knowing that sooner rather than later, winter would arrive.  Well, it showed up on Monday.  Rain and 50.  We’re expecting the first freeze tonight with temperatures in the 40’s for the rest of the week.  Naturally, when I want nothing more than to cuddle up with a blanket and a cup of tomato soup, both horses are finally ready to go back to work.

One thing or another went wrong this summer.  Admiral rolled on a boulder rock pebble and was out with an impressive bump on his back for months.  Nutmeg threw a shoe, then threw a fit the day her shoe was back on, leading to a month of stiff sore muscles and liniment rubs.  Friends got married, fencing started and stopped about ten times, stalls needed to be built and money ran out.  Riding just wasn’t at the top of the priority list. 

I never thought I could survive without my equine therapists, but I was actually getting used to coming home to my husband every night and skipping the five hour venture to the barn and back.  Sure, when it was sunny and warm I looked longingly out the window and dreamed, but the nasty rain did nothing to entice me to the barn.  Even the thought of getting to finally use Nutmeg’s new dressage bridle (a birthday present in August) had lost its luster.  Autumn ambivalence had set in, full force.

But I had to go to the barn.  Really, I had to go to the barn.  The poor ponies’ blankets were in the back of my car, laundered and smelling fresh less like manure, and they needed them ASAP.  Plus, I promised a friend I’d drop her new round of Smart Paks off while she was on vacation.  With less than adequate clothing, to the barn I went.

Thank goodness for indoor arenas!  That is one thing I will definitely miss when the horses come home.  I didn’t die of hypothermia.  I didn’t have to cut my ride time short due to the dwindling light.  And, I got to ride BOTH horses!!!  They were both sound, they were both happy to see me, and they were both fairly well behaved.  I dropped off the blankets and headed home with a feeling of contentment I haven’t had in a while.  You can’t really put it in words.  Let’s just say, I’m glad I went to the barn after all.  It may not be what I want to do at the time, but riding always helps and leaves me with a fresh perspective.