BARN TIME

Barn Time is the minutes that turn into hours once you enter the barn. When everything that has been weighing on your mind seems to just float away. Time is lost the minute a horse greets you with a knicker or touches you with their soft nose. So much to do...feed the horses, check water supplies, muck stalls, sweep the barn, groom the horses, exercise the horses, go for a ride, cool down the horses after a ride, or just sit with them while they get a few minutes of grass. In between all the barn chores there is always some down time to enjoy the company of others, to just sit back and relax while waiting for the right time to start the next chore. All of it is relaxing to the mind, body, and soul even with the sweat and dirt that becomes ingrained into your body on those hot summer days. The connection with the horses is one that holds nothing back. It is pure and honest and helps to clear your mind. It allows you to connect with yourself and connect with others in a way that is also clear and honest. Time has little meaning and it is hard to define. Barn time is a time to feel at peace, to get things off your mind, and to reconnect with what's important to you. If you can't imagine such a blissful state of mind, then I suggest you give it a try and experience some time in the barn. Just make sure everyone knows where to find you and that you'll be back when your done.....but to not wait up for you since you might be a little while.

"I'll be at the barn" becomes a new motto that takes on a whole new meaning. I'm not really a morning person, and every morning I still have to convince myself to get up and out the door, but once I'm out at the barn everything feels right. From the first knicker as I enter the barn that reminds me why I'm there, to the time I walk out of the barn feeling at peace and accomplished once the morning chores are done, barn time centers me and starts my day (sometimes earlier then I'd like) with a purpose. There is nothing like hearing the munching of horses eating their hay to help adjust your mindset. It makes you just want to stay out at the barn. And this is why I never really know when I'll be back from the barn. If this sounds a little crazy, I challenge you to spend a few days taking some barn time and see for yourself if you can appreciate the peace that it can bring to your heart.

Think about it, and in the meantime, if you need to find me.....I'll be at the barn.