Good Day!
It was wonderful to spend a weekend at home with my husband, my dog and my horses. It was a rare event for me to lay on the couch and read and nap and then do some cooking (one of my favorite past-times) on Sunday—not even stepping into my office for a moment. I was long overdue to catch up on some rest and it was the ideal time, before my hectic travel schedule of the next three weeks begins.
As I head to the largest horse expo this weekend—Equine Affaire in Massachusetts—I’ve been wondering how the economic news will affect how many people attend and the amount of goodies equine owners will shop for. Of course with the recent election, everyone has been thinking about the economy. How, though, is it really affecting the horse world? At a dinner the other night--with a bunch of ski-area executive my husband knows--someone asked me how the recession was influencing the horse business. So far, I feel like all is promising for the coming year. The horse industry is notoriously recession-resistant since you cannot just stop feeding your horse when times are bad. But are horse owners doing more than the feed-and-water basics right now?
How has this economy affected your horse life? Have you cut back on activities? Are you downsizing the herd? Putting off major purchases? Or are you cutting back on other things in your life so that your horse pursuits do not suffer? And how do you feel the economy will change within the next few months? Especially around Christmas? Will you be buying your horse his usual Christmas presents—new blankets and tack?
Have faith in the good times that will follow!
Julie
Hi Julie, I was just catching up on your blog and thought I would comment on this topic. I almost always wear a helmet but this past Sunday we had a turkey trot trail ride and the temp started out in the 20's and never really warmed up because of the wind chill. I have this really warm hat that I call the nanook of the north hat or a mountain man hat and I decided to be warm over safe. I have to say it wasn't one of my best decisions. My horse was fresh and forward because of the cold where normally he is a lazy gelding. I had more mishaps with him on this 10 mile ride then I have had with him in the last 2 or more years. The ride was being held in the state forest behind my house so my horse knows which way is home. He jumped two boulders when we were walking by the path that goes home at the very beginning of the ride (we rode from the house to the sign-up area so once on the marked trail we passed the trail to home). I couldn't hold him back even though I was expecting he would try to go home. My ONLY THOUGHT was OH GREAT I DON'T HAVE MY HELMET ON. The whole rest of the ride was the same. Every time he was a #%$@$# head I thought OH GREAT I DON'T HAVE MY HELMET ON. If I had my helmet on most of the antics would not have worried me. During the ride I kept thinking would I rather be dead or warm?...hmmmm. I know I rather not be dead :) SO I WILL NEVER RIDE AGAIN WITHOUT MY HELMET!!!!!Sincerely, Janeen in CT
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