Equine-itis

This week is a "short" week for us, which as all of my horsey friends know, means that we just drug in from one event on Sunday and now we are unpacking, repacking and heading to another one on Wednesday. Those of you who know me know that I have three children, two of which are already in school. (Yes, I'd love to home school them, but I'm not sure my nerves can take it.) Since this trip begins on Wednesday instead of Friday, I also get to manage a small army of babysitters in order to ensure that my little cherubs don't miss any school. They are hitching a ride with a friend after school on Friday. Lots of moving parts! I have to keep myself from thinking about all the stuff that might happen. Otherwise, I'll call the whole thing off. Just for fun, and as if I need any more stress this weekend, my young horse is getting pressed into service since the one I entered on had to be scratched. Her issues have issues, and the phrase "too much sugar for a dime" keeps coming to mind when I think about how much time, effort, and money it takes to keep her going. Time for her to find a new career, which means I get to run Slim at his first big show. Ever. With music and lights and noise, oh my! I guess he might as well start at the top. Our goal for the weekend is two runs consisting of three turns with a barrel in the middle. Making the short round would be a total bonus. Fingers crossed!
I hope my friends don't mind being called "horsey." I take it as a compliment. I simply use the term to distinguish those of my friends who have the disease from those who don't. "Equine-itis" affects some of us from an early age; others catch it later in life. But it is most definitely an illness. Those of us who have it will spend any amount of money and risk life and limb to care for, exercise, groom, show, and otherwise pamper the horses in our lives. When we think, it's what we think about. When we dream, it's what we dream about. When we set goals, they almost always involve a horse.
If we currently have a competition horse, we constantly think about ways to make him better. This is where the money thing comes in. Maybe he would work better in this bridle. Maybe I wouldn't lose a stirrup so often if I switched to that kind. You know, that saddle would really fit better if I had a different blanket under it. The velcro really is almost worn out on those boots. I've just got to have some new ones, and if I buy another color for the front, well, that means a new set for the back, too. We all know that they have to match. Oh, and spa treatments! They'll tighten up his legs and reduce inflammation and make him feel so much better. I just know that will make him run harder! A horse person can rationalize ANY purchase, for any amount of money. It's a gift. If we are between horses and looking for a ride, we spend hours online watching videos and drooling, wondering if $25,000 really means $25,000, or if there is some wiggle room on that price. I wonder if they would offer a cash discount? Probably. I bet if I pulled that $20,000 in cash out from under my mattress, they'd take that. Oh, wait! There I go dreaming again.
Anyway, for the meager return on my investment and hours of fun with my family, I am willing to do mountains of laundry and pack up this circus again. My Suburban looks like a clown car, anyway. If the shoe fits, cram that sucker on and dance in it!