How Working at the Barn Will Make You A Better Rider

I am writing this blog post now, after working or riding or being with horses every day since I have been out of school (that's June 1)... except for maybe two days.   Today, I worked our annual non-profit HOOF (Horses Offering Opportunities for the Future) camp, and then I took a lesson today.  So. Much. Sweat.  I am exhausted.

But, even though I am exhausted, I will do it again and again.  Why?   Because working at the barn WILL make you a better rider.   Here's how.

1. Endurance.  If you are able to have a successful ride after working a blugillion hours at the barn, you will be able to handle any weather at a horse show.   We can't quit simply because we are tired.  We are not guaranteed 100% health on the day we show, so we have to prepare as best as we can.   By working, riding, and working some more, we are building muscles in our legs, arms, back, and even our little brains are getting a workout.  And guess what?  You can use those muscles while riding.  The barn is the ultimate workout, people!

2. Patience.  Sometimes, lessons don't start on time.  Sometimes, you are trying to help a child put away their horse and all you can think about is how you have five horses to get ready and only an hour to do it in.   Sometimes, forty people are telling you to do forty different things.  You have to be patient.  Not only when you work, but when you ride as well.  I don't get as frustrated as I used to when I am riding and a horse spooks--in fact, I find it hilarious and I try to be patient and understand that the horse is just trying to be a horse (which means hide from all real and imagined predators at all times).

3. Awareness.  One of the coolest things about working is that you get to see other people ride the horse(s) you ride.  Often times, I will watch lessons while I water, or as I am carrying tack to a horse's stall.  It's nice to see other riders (especially really skilled ones) ride a horse you ride; it helps you see what works and doesn't work and lets you apply that to your own riding.  It also lets you see how really dang cute your favorite horse is, which is also pretty nice.

4. Connection. The more time you spend with the horses, the more you get to know them and what makes them "tick".   There are horses in the barn that I can tell are extra grumpy without even getting close to the stall.  I can tell by the body language, the way they move around the stall, how alert they are, etc.   The more we know about a horse, the better we can ride it.

5. Appreciation.  Let me tell you, You appreciate a lesson 1000x more when you have to work for one.   I think I value every minute that I am in the saddle, because I know how hard I work to be able to ride as much as I do.    You do what you have to do for the things you love.  I think everyone at some point should have to work to pay for one lesson; it definitely gives you a better perspective.

5 Ways to Tell Your Barn/Lesson Workers "Thank You"

Since I have been out of school (I am a teacher), I think I have spent every day either working or riding (or both) at the barn... except for maybe like two days.  During this time, I've thought a lot about how hard a lot of us work at the barn, and I have felt so thankful for those people who find ways to say "thank you" to all of us who do our best to keep things running smoothly at the barn.   This post is mostly about the lesson workers (or "lesson helpers" or "working students" as they are sometimes called).   These kiddos often get overlooked and in my experience some of the hardest working people I have ever known.   So here it goes--in case you are wondering how you can say "thank you!"   

1. Clean up after yourself and your horse. I get it.  We are done riding, and especially in this super hot weather (the heat index has been close to 100), it is so tempting just to leave all of your saddles, blankets, etc. for someone else to pick up.  I will tell you, it means a LOT to us when you take the time to put everything away before you leave.   We don't even mind if you have to ask us where it goes, or ask us to help you.  That's what we're here for!

2. Arrive Early.  If you can.  Some of us have jobs that leave us racing to the barn, or we are stuck in traffic a mile long.  but if you can, come early.   I like to come early to get my own horse ready even when I am not working.  This not only helps the lesson workers, but it also gives me time to connect with my horse before the lesson.   Also, if you come early, it gives you time to check that the girth is fitted properly and make any last minute adjustments before your lesson.  When us workers tack up approximately 2948294890900 horses in one shift, mistakes DO happen and sometimes things need to be adjusted.  

3. Be patient.  Some shifts don't start until 4 and there will be a group of 7 horses going at 4:30.  We are doing the best we can.  In fact, when we are riding during our shifts, we will leave our own horse until last to ensure that YOUR lesson will start on time and your horse will be ready for when you arrive.   But life happens sometimes.   Sometimes, it takes 30 minutes to catch a horse in the field.  Sometimes, the electricity goes off in the middle of a lesson.  Sometimes, three unannounced riders show up.   We're doing the best we can.  I promise.

4. We like snacks... Just kidding.  Once, Betsy bribed us with a package of Oreos in exchange for cleaning tack.  I cleaned that tack SO HARD for those Oreos.  It was the best day ever.

5.  Say, "Thank you!" I love all of the riders who take time out of their day to thank us for getting their horse ready, or for turning them loose in the stall, or remembering to put their gear in a specific place.   It means a lot.