Well, here we are.
Did you ever think that one day, you might be required to stay away from your horse - away from a farm - because of some sort of emergency?
I surely didn't. My claim to comfort has always been that the farm - and the horses and other livestock - would ALWAYS be a safe place. A place that was far away from the urban centers, far away from possible emergencies and other man-made conundrums. Little did I ever think that WE could be the contaminant and that we'd have to stay away from the farms so that our dear barn owners and managers could also stay safe.
It's been 22 days since I last saw my horse. On that day, I was still convinced that we could practice "social distancing" at a barn - I mean, how often do we really get close to each other in a barn environment anyway? We could stay away from each other, ride the trails alone, and play in the outdoor ring far from each other. But at least, we could play. We'd see our horses.
The next day, though, after our province of Ontario declared a State of Emergency, I was already sure that I couldn't go. I couldn't risk "getting infected", infecting others by possibly carrying the virus asymptomatically, and/or contracting it the same way and bringing it back home.
So now I find myself horseless over the long term. This "novel" situation has never happened to me. Either I was visiting my horse, or someone else with their horse, several times a week, or if I actually ever DID get away, I was at the first horse ranch I could find at my travel destination.
My Balance
Non-horse people often look at me strangely when I say that I have a horse, that I'm at a barn almost daily, and that over the years, I have been willing to put incredible amounts of physical labor and money and time into this "hobby."
I have tried to explain.
Horses are my balance.
It doesn't even have to be riding (although I live to ride for sure). It can be about the mucking, or the grooming, or the smelling: the horse smell, the hay, the damp grass and trees outside the barn.
It is also quite a bit about chatting with fellow horse lovers, whether they are close friends, or simply acquaintances.
The "horses" have always been there to help me navigate through highly stressful periods of my life. They've also been a source of intense happiness and pleasure (thinking about a gorgeous winter trail ride on a warm January day only a number of weeks ago). Even tragedy and sadness brought on by my beloved horses passing on "over the rainbow" was somehow a little easier to take thanks to other horse people (and their horses) during my deepest, saddest, times.
So now what???
New Balance
While I write this, we are only just getting into the thick of things, CoVid-wise.
It seems like that's all anyone talks about, and I'm finding myself thinking about it far too much - more that I should be, I keep telling myself. But it's there, it's new, and there's a lot of learning we all have to do in order to feel like we can navigate as safely as possible in this environment.
But.
(You know there'd be a "but", right?)
I also need the horse person me. I bet you do too. And so I was thinking the other day of what I can do to let the horses STILL help me find my balance, out of the saddle, away from the horses themselves. Surprisingly, I came up with a bunch of ideas that made me feel a little bit better. I hope they might help you too.
Study
I mean, I've written time and again about how horse people are lifelong learners. In this article I wrote a few years ago, I said:
Be prepared to "study."
The concept of studying might be rare these days in equestrian circles, but there is no other way. Read, watch videos, audit clinics, watch lessons, set goals, ride in lessons. Immerse yourself in learning.
Well! We can't actually be there, but yes there are things still to do!
"Studying" is something that we often let fall to the wayside while we learn, practice and just get out there and do. But let me tell ya, the time is right!
Now!
To study.
If you're reading this, I know you have Internet access. And so...
1) Videos
Search and find the videos you've wanted to watch for so long but haven't had the time. Check out all the old competition live streams that you'd wished you'd watched. What have you been having trouble with in your rides lately? Look those up and I bet there will be many fine training videos that actually give you some answers. Did you say you miss going to clinics? You'll find those too, many of them for free, if you just type in your discipline and "clinic" beside it. There's SO MUCH wealth of information and knowledge that I bet you could watch a couple of hours a day of videos and not run out before the end of CoVid.
Ahh. The lovely printed word.
What you can't see on YouTube, you can READ! Think about things, write your own thoughts and comments into the margins, look at the pictures, get deep into the thoughts of one of your favorite horse personalities, and just let it all roll through your mind.
Don't forget, too, the amazing horse novels that are out there, both fiction and non-fiction. You've got time. Why not step into someone else's world for a bit and see things from their perspective?
And if you DON'T want to touch a physical book, or don't have access to new ones, then find them in digital format. You can buy, but you can also rent from your local library. I feel like the libraries have had a huge boom in their online memberships since we've been staying at home. Which is good for all.
3) Courses
You don't even have to stop learning. There are already so many online memberships now (and shameless plug - I have my own Practice Sessions) and courses that you can purchase (and many have opened their doors up for free). You can learn! Pick a topic you are interested in, and go to it.
Admit it! When else would you have enough free time to do some horse theory?
OK, well.
I hope this gives you a few ideas, and helps to point you in a purposeful direction.
And Give Thanks
To those of you who are on the front lines, in any capacity, keeping our social structure and services going - I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are many of us who are among the suddenly designated "vulnerable" who cannot contribute but need your help in this time of crisis. What would we do without you?
Stay safe, my friends. And thanks for reading.
Finally! The Ultimate Rider-Centered Program!
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If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:
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https://horselistening.com/2011/10/09/horse-recipe-living/
https://horselistening.com/2012/11/10/living-in-flying-changes/