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Barn

Don’t Stop Until You Find the Bliss

Ford F150 and attached trailer

17 years. I kept chasing a dream, and it took me 17 years to finally catch it.

Today, I put my horse on the trailer and traveled up the road to my friend Kim’s barn, where I spent a few hours showing Siouxsie around the farm, and then hopping on her for a bit. It was a big deal for both of us because it was Sioux’s first time off the property by herself, and my first time hauling her in the new rig. We both handled things very well!

The freedom, joy, and sense of accomplishment from this small event permeates every single cell in my body. Even my soul feels fulfilled.

By most equestrians’ standards, this outing wasn’t all that special, but for me, it was extraordinary.

There isn’t a thing about horsemanship that I do not love. From walking Siouxsie around the farm to see things, to patiently loading and unloading her from the trailer. Not a minute went by that I wished away. Every detail of the day was gratifying. That’s not an easy thing to achieve for an Energizer-Bunny-with-ADHD type like me!

On my way home, I thought about calling my dad. I used to call him on my way home from lessons when I first starting riding seriously. He wasn’t a “horse person” like I am, but he did love them, occasionally rode, and liked to hear about my adventures in an english saddle. My dad was my go-to person when I was feeling particularly happy about a lesson or a ride.

Despite the fact that he died 10 years ago, I chatted with him about the adventure just as if he was right next to me. The fear I overcame today was a lot like the fear I had one summer day in Pennsylvania, a very, very long time ago. My dad and I went for a trail ride and my horse didn’t want to cross a wide, shallow creek. I cried and wailed like a baby for the longest time, but I finally got that clever little Quarter Horse through the water. And then the indescribable glee hit me — right in the center of my being. What a feeling!

Today was just like that day. You’d be proud of me, dad. I wish you were here to enjoy the moment.

* * *

Don’t give up until you find the bliss. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what your dream is, keep it in your sights. Money, power, prestige, even blue ribbons aren’t made of bliss. Nah. Bliss comes from that place deep inside of you that knows what feeds your soul. You’ll know it when you find it.

Siouxsie Head Shot
Stall and Stable Podcast

EP 27: Siouxsie and the Solitary Witch

This episode gets a little personal, and that’s Helena for you! She is the kind of “girl” who wears her heart on her sleeve, welcoming anyone who is willing to listen to join in on her story.

As a horsewoman who spends a lot of time alone with her horses, Helena has learned so much about herself as a human being. In this short episode, she shares a particularly important observation that many horse lovers will appreciate. Listen in!


This episode is dedicated to American Indians.

Please take a few minutes to read an updated overview of their history and current state of affairs, here.

The American Thanksgiving holiday, in our opinion, should focus on giving thanks to the American Indians who shared, advised, welcomed, and sacrificed so much for the European settlers who came to these lands so long ago. Instead of dwelling on the conflicts, the Stall and Stable family will be spending this holiday giving thanks to our Native American friends for their great gifts to our ancestors.

One of the greatest of all Sioux indians was Chief Sitting Bull, a Hunkapa Lakota leader. If you fancy yourself a “real American”, read the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. Knowing even a little bit about the history of the sacrifices American Indians made will bring you a new appreciation for what it means to live comfortably in this great nation of ours; especially at a time when many American Indians are still suffering on reservations that are rife with poverty and staggering rates of addiction and suicide.

 

 

 

Sitting Bull
Sitting Bull
Photo: David F. Barry, Bismarck, Dakota Territory – original period albumen print, Daniel Guggisberg historical photographs collection
Many Horses with her baby
Sitting Bull’s daughter, Many Horses

One of Sitting Bull’s daughters was Many Horses. Her Lakota name was Tashunke-ota-win, which, when translated literally, means ‘Horses-many-woman’.

Helena’s horse, Siouxsie, is named, in part, in honor of the people of the Great Sioux Nation. Yes, there’s an homage to a special punk rocker as well, which was also born out of admiration for the First Peoples of the Americas.

This special episode is NOT about Indians. It is about the MAGIC of horses; something for which we are very, very grateful.

 

Manure Pile
Stall and Stable Podcast

EP 17: Manure Management for the Small Horse Property

If you are plagued by a growing manure pile and no solid plan for disposal, you’ll appreciate today’s chat about ideas that can relieve your manure pile stress. In this episode, Helena welcomes back her horse husband, Buck, and they discuss some of the more popular options for manure management and removal, what they tend to cost, as well as the pros and cons of each. What did the Harrises choose for their small horse property? Listen in to find out!

Can you afford a composting system, manure spreader, or dump trailer? Use the Stall and Stable Financial Planner to find out!

From this episode:

  • Manure Spreader – as narrow as 4’ wide 
    • Available in a stainless steel body (impervious to urine and moisture)
    • Start at $3,000
    • Can handle 1-4 wheelbarrow loads
    • Tow with lawn tractor or ATV
    • Need more than 3 acres to be useful
  • Composting System
    • Low cost or no cost to set up
    • Requires time to manage (turn, aerate, process, move)
    • Makes awesome compost that you could sell
    • Takes up more space than you think
    • Flies still an issue
    • Disposal/disbursement/use still an issue
    • UMass Amherst Composting Page
  • Dumpster 
    • Moderate cost (lowest we could find in New England was $189 / month for a 10 cubic yard dumpster)
    • Removal is low stress
    • Easy to remove, at your interval
    • Ugly
    • Takes up space
    • Unloading a full wheelbarrow into dumpster requires some innovation
    • Wholesale Nationwide Dumpster Rental
  • Removal by 3rd Party
    • High cost
    • Manure pile tends to get very big, drawing flies and taking up valuable space
    • You’re at the mercy of the 3rd party’s schedule
    • The pile must be easy to access with equipment like front-end loader, etc.
  • Dump Trailer
    • High cost
    • Low stress
    • Requires tow vehicle
    • Saves time and space
    • Must be moved when trailer gets full
    • You need a distribution or disposal plan
      • Local dump or transfer station (check your town or city’s Organic Waste Recycling options)
      • Local gardeners/growers who would like to use it
Living room setup in horse pasture
Stall and Stable Podcast

EP 15: Equestrian Real Estate

So yeah, most of us crazy horse people would be perfectly happy living on that couch. But if you’re one of those people who need indoor plumbing or luxuries like, um, electricity, then this is the episode for you.

If you dream about owning your own horse property, or if you have one you need to sell, you will appreciate Helena’s chat with real estate expert, Megan Stout, of Results Real Estate Solutions. Not only is Megan a great realtor, she’s also the Hunt Secretary for Full Cry Hounds in Huntsville, Alabama. As a life-long equestrian with experience in many disciplines, Megan knows a thing or two about what horse people really want when they go house hunting. From home buyers’ top wishes, to things you should do when selling your farm, Megan’s got some great tips for us. Listen in!

For more information:

Hillsboro Hounds

Mooreland Hunt

Megan Stout Foxhunting Photo

If you like these podcast episodes, subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. It’s FREE!

Barn Help
Stall and Stable Podcast

EP 12: 5 Strategies for Running a Better Barn

Strategies for Achieving “Barnmony”

If you run a boarding stable, you have probably experienced more in life than most people! The good, the bad, the easy, and the oh my god will this day ever end? In this episode, we’re talking about 5 strategies that can not only ease the pain of those difficult days, but that can actually boost your business by making your clients happy without sacrificing the kind of horse care you know you can offer. Listen in!

For more information:

Subscribe to the Stall and Stable podcast for free!

  1. On your phone or computer, go to iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Himalaya, or Google
  2. Search for “Stall and Stable”
  3. Click “Subscribe”

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