My whole life I have been obsessed with horses. People have teased me about it since the beginning of Elementary school. Now, here I am ten years later, still obsessed with the beautiful creatures. About a year and a half ago, I started working at a farm near me. It has been a much-needed
distraction for me and the horses and people there have helped me through a lot. Going there is like a step back in time with the old, rustic barns, winery, and fresh air above the smog in the bay area, literally (the ranch is located in the mountains in Saratoga and it is usually clear enough to see all the way to Alcatraz). Not to mention, every summer a live band plays during the day, which is really uplifting and sweet to hear throughout the land. Overall, this place has been a huge help in my life. It’s also so beautiful. The sunrises never fail to impress, and the sunsets too. Most of the time I am lucky enough to see both everytime I’m there. It is truly breathtaking.
I’ve also made so many memories there. From chasing lose horses to finding my partner in crime, Spartacus. Or falling down the hill in the dark during the winter. Jumping a horse for the first time. Falling off a horse right onto a fence. As well as heartwarming experiences with clients. Or some not so great. Also, rain dances and two of us huddling up on a foldable metal chair trying keeping warm during the winter covered with Navajos (a saddle cover, not the person). Even spending the night in the jumping arena under the stars freezing out tooshies off.
Last year we had a slightly troubling group of girl scouts on a trail. It was winter, rainy and a little scary to have about 17 little girls on horses for the first time. It was also my first time dragging a trail.
Ruined me. We had horses slipping in mud, occasionally spooking at thunder or the kids screaming. It really wasn’t my favorite experience, but I got free cookies so I’m not going to complain. Other than that I love dragging trails and interacting with clients. The view is amazing, too.
Recently, the smoke from the fires has made it a little difficult to see things. But that didn’t seem to stop people. We had a trail of 28 on Sunday. It was dry but not unbearable. It was a group of little girls and their fathers. It was really interesting to listen to their stories about camping and mountain biking. I had the pleasure of ponying a young girl for the majority of the trail. Her dad was teaching her to ride and I helped as well, especially since he had no idea what he was saying. The daughter eventually learned how to lean forward while going up and lean back while going down. By the end of the trail, she wasn’t being ponied anymore. She asked a lot of question, which I happily answered.
Last winter we decided to have a “sacrificial rain dance” around one of our horses. Smokey, the grumpy, fat, grey horse. He was so confused
when we started dancing around him and trotting and cantering (on the correct lead, I promise). We made up a new language and chanted in it, just being completely crazy. We had a lot of these times. All so memorable and fun to remember.
Last Spring, back when I worked on Saturdays, we used to ride in the jumping arena and play music while riding. I remember going on trails with staff and playing music, slicing through the relaxing sounds of nature.
A few weeks ago, my level and I were practicing handling troublesome clients on trails. We took turns leading the trail while the others tried to be as annoying as possible. Unfortunately, reenacting situations we’ve had on the trails. I discovered I should be one of those guys that hangs off the horse and does a bunch of crazy stunts at a trot or canter. Needless to say, I ended up backward on a cantering Arabian. Don't know how... Don't worry, I'm a trained professional ( I'm really not lol). It was so much fun and we stayed out until dark.
Last year, I fell in love with this sassy, poorly behaved, thoroughbred warmblood thing. His name is Spartacus, he’s smoky black with a star on his face. No one else really seems to like him, so I get him to myself most of the time. He needs a lot of work still, in the saddle and with groundwork, but we made some progress.
When I met him he was head shy because of abuse from past owners, suffering from a previously broken pelvis. He is healed now. His muscle was there but covered by fat. He is now much sweeter and we had an adorable Halloween photoshoot and successful win. My first blue ribbon.
If you couldn’t tell, I love him. He’s helped me with so much, they all have. All 51 horses and all the people I spend my Sundays and Fridays with.
Sidenote: I mentioned earlier that the sunrises are amazing, so here are some pictures of the sunrise and other things.