Don’t Disrupt the Barn Routine

August 13, 2015

1390

The sports world is full of habits and rituals. I’ve heard of players tying their shoes a particular way before a game, of players refusing to hold a trophy until a championship is officially won, and of teams only agreeing to play if a certain player or coach says specific words before the entering the field.

I am not accomplished enough to have a superstitious ritual that someone would discuss. ESPN is not going to interview my family and ask them to talk about my particular habits. However, as I’ve continued my 3-rides per week half-lease, I’ve noticed that I have some pretty specific barn habits, and when I don’t follow those habits, I feel off – off my game. If I miss a step or do something out of order, my inner balance disappears.

Here are some of the things I’ve caught myself missing in my normal barn routine.

Get Our Free Weekly Enewsletter About Horses

I forgot to put a billet through the saddle pad keeper before tightening my girth.

My first thought should be: Easy solution. Loosen the girth and fix it.
My actual thought: Now I have to either:

Let my saddle pad slip back while I ride (not a real option) or
Loosen the girth and watch my mare get angry with me when I tighten it – again (not an appealing option).

I put my horse’s back boots on before I put on her front boots.

My first thought should be: As long as she has all four boots on, all legs are adequately protected and supported.
My actual thought: I’ve put on the back boots. Where are her front boots? If I haven’t put them on her … where are they? Oh man. Now she’s going to feel off balance. (Rational thought? Perhaps.)

I picked out my horse’s hooves in a different order.

My first thought should be: Order makes no difference. There is no reason to believe otherwise.
My actual thought: Dang it! Which hoof have I already picked out and which one still needs attention? Is she being stubborn about her back left because I already did her right and I normally do her left first?

I put my horse away and then cleaned and oiled my tack.

My first thought should be: Today was a good barn day: a good ride, a healthy horse and clean tack.
My actual thought: What was I thinking? Why did I already put her back in her stall? I always clean my tack while giving her some extra time to cool down in the cross-ties.
What regularly happens when I mix up this particular task? I get in the car, turn it on and prepare to leave the barn only to realize I haven’t cleaned my tack and I didn’t even put it back in the tack room.

Have you ever noticed any quirks that throw off your barn game?

Allison Griest is a freelance writer based in Texas. Follow her on Twitter: @allisongriest.