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Facebook. We all love Facebook. My Facebook page now is a little matted with a lot of useless stuff, but there are some really fun things that pass through the pages. Recently, there was a darling article from a cute lady named Sophie Callahan, who is a photographer and a horse lover. She grew up around horses, like myself, and had this to say:
1. They teach responsibility. (You always have to take care of your horse). 2. They improve self-esteem. Any type of pet boosts self esteem, as it is an animal that you love and it offers unconditional love right back 3. They build your immune system. I know that I am hardly sick, and I am sure that it has to do with all of those lovely germs that we have around here every day. You do build up an immunity, eventually. 4. Horses teach the value of money. Those kids who have to help with the expenses of their horses grow up to be the best with their money. At least the students that I had did. 5. Horses instill patience. If you weren't a humble person before, then you will become one. Horses teach humility, patience, compassion, trust....the list goes on and on. 6. Horses are great at keeping secrets. Have a bad day? Talk to your horse. Groom your horse. Have a therapy session with your horse. By the time you leave the barn, you will feel so much better. 7. Horse teach focus and ambition. Nothing makes you raise the bar then wanting to become a better rider. A better person. It is a win/win situation. 8. They come with a built in social-life. Nothing is better than coming out and hanging out with your horsey friends. I still love it....even after 55 years. 9. Horses provide great exercise. We have proof! We have gotten our heart rates to over 150BPM! 10. They will keep your kids out of trouble. They will keep you out of trouble. If this is not the best reason out of all 10, then I don't know what else will convince you. So, I have made my case. What are you waiting for? And, when your child goes off to college, steal her horse and enjoy the trails. It will be the most fun you will have in your life. But, I will wait until next month about my blog about the middle-aged rider. Have a good one! I have promised everyone that 2015 will be a most different year. A year of changes, a year of traditions, and year that perhaps we can all be a different version of ourselves. Maybe a bit wiser, a version that is a bit better and maybe finally one that we like. Part of transforming is that you want to become a better version of yourself, but the bottom line is that you still really have to like who you are as a person. Maybe you could become a better listener, one who motivates more, one who mentors others, one who picks up an extra class to study harder or just to learn more. Maybe sometimes we want to become a better wife, mother, daughter.....the improvement list is long, but it just takes maybe one simple move to go forth in the right direction.
But, we have to become involved in something which is larger than us as well. That is where horseback riding and horses come in. If anything, ride a bit more. Give yourself some new goals. Raise the bar. Maybe buy another horse that is challenging and fun in the show arena. The possibilities are endless. Whatever your goals are this year, try to meet them. Transform into some kind of wonderful. Martha:) We know that spring is around the corner, as there is a hint of warm, sunny days around the corner. We would like to welcome the true sign of spring, as our first foal was born on St. Patrick's Day. New foals always put us in a better mood with happy thoughts of the future, as such a precious new life is always fun to behold and experience. And, it also helps us for 
We haven't gotten as many inches of snow in one day as we had in this picture taken a couple of years ago, but the weather has definitely gotten colder this year. I have to chuckle a bit, because I have been telling everyone that it was going to be a cold winter this year, as well as a long one. Accordingly to my calculations, I think we still have about five more weeks to go.
But, the promise of spring is just around the corner, bringing much more activity and fun things to look forward to. There are always more lessons, summer camps and horse shows to attend....young horses to come out and train, new and old riders discovering their saddles again. We have had days where we have turned out anywhere from 40-65 head of horses in turnout (no, not all together) and still had stalls to clean, buckets to unfreeze.....the list goes on and on. But, one thing I am thankful for is the staff that we have at the barn. The gentlemen that work at the barn have been here every day to make sure that your horses always are fed, watered, and tended to....the trainers and support staff have been here to give lessons, do turnouts, and still work horses, even when the temperature dips below zero. For that, I am always grateful, because a good barn is like a good sports team....it is not only just one member that works the field, but the entire company of our "team" that keeps our place working seamlessly every day. And, we have one great team at this facility....and for that, I am grateful. Have a great week! |
AuthorMartha Thompson-Hoyt has been here at the inception of Palos Hills Riding Stables in 1960, so she can speak with some authority, if only in sheer experience by age. 
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