May2015
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EQUESTRIAN NEWS<br />
by Donice Muccio<br />
Barn Camaraderie<br />
Friendly Stables Are<br />
Happy Stables<br />
What makes a barn a truly happy place, a place of<br />
peace and refuge from the hassle of the outside<br />
world? It is the wonderful people. The “family” of<br />
riders, parents, horse owners, and barn owners that make<br />
the joy of being around horses a wonderful experience the<br />
moment you drive onto the property.<br />
Any barn owner can attest to the<br />
fact that sometimes situations can<br />
arise that make barn life stressful for<br />
everyone. At that point, it is necessary<br />
for the barn manager or owner to step<br />
in to help resolve conflicts in order to<br />
keep the barn a peaceful home away<br />
from home.<br />
What is rewarding to see is when the students that become<br />
friends initiate barn fun. Their excitement of preparing for a<br />
horse show, celebrating a birthday, gift exchanges at holiday<br />
times, and sometimes sleepovers keeps the thrill of barn<br />
life alive. We can always thank the parents for their efforts in<br />
helping their children create those wonderful memories. Our<br />
students, including the adults, even celebrate the horses’<br />
birthdays. They get special horse treats made into cakes and<br />
we get carrot cake.<br />
Our barn is special place. My husband and I had a tragic day<br />
in March, but our friends quickly came through to make our<br />
pain much less by pulling together to send us on a cruise.<br />
Everything was taken care of, including the task of caring for<br />
the barn and all the pets, and a limo. It was an act of love<br />
that reminded us that life is certainly more special with caring<br />
friends and should never be taken for granted.<br />
When taken seriously, caring for horses, keeping children<br />
and adults safe and happy, can be mentally and physically<br />
exhausting. Any barn that offers equine services to the community<br />
surely knows this is true.<br />
We are so grateful that our lives have been greatly enriched<br />
with horses and the great friends that go along with them.<br />
An active barn shares happy times and sad times, but it is<br />
the warmth of families that brings balance to the everyday<br />
happenings in such a unique place as “the barn.” P<br />
PHOTO COURTESY DONICE MUCCIO<br />
116<br />
MAY 2016
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