Good bye 2020

The solstice, the shortest day of the year is for me the real turning point of winter, the start of the New Year as the days begins to lengthen.

On that day I always like to reflect (as I wait for the sun to finally appear over the horizon so I can go out and do chores!).

2020 was a terrible year for so many and I feel that every day in the reports we hear and the stories we tell and share. The way society dealt with the pandemic this year has both elated and depressed me.

But for us here, 2020 was a great year.

What is a great year for a little breeder like me you might ask?

It’s  a year where:

1) No horses get hurt or suffer unduly.

2) Foals are born easily and in good weather.

3) Young horses hit all their milestones with minimal intervention.

4) Mares get along and generally form a stable quiet herd.

5) Rain comes and rain goes when it should for a good hay crop and plenty of grass.

6) Reasonable and serious buyers with good homes take an honest look at your stock and decide they want to proceed with the purchase.

7) Mares cycle well and are re-bred with minimal hassle (it’s always a hassle but you know: when all works out and they catch first try).

8) There are time, money, and energy to do the improvement around the farm that are needed

9) I stay healthy and physically able to care for all, put up hay, ride some ect….

10) The foals grow up straight and strong, healthy, and sensible.

I am particularly grateful this year to:

1) the buyers of the horses we sold that were so easy to deal with and reasonable- I tried to be the same.

2) Peppy the companion mare that despite her misgiving and her incomprehension as to why I did certain things: complied and stayed steady and provided calming support to the herd and to the new mare that joined us later in the year.

3) to the past owner of said mare and her vet that made purchasing her from afar such a stress-free experience.

4) to my vet and other vet and animal health professionals that were there when I needed them, that answered my text and that followed up to make sure all was well.

5) to my friends and my fellow breeders that were great sounding boards and enablers, the voice of experience when some puzzles came up.

So starting tomorrow the days start to lengthen and I look forward to a new year. I can only hope that here at the farm it is as good and the last one and if it is not that I still remain grateful for all the little things and not let the bad overtake the good. I am very lucky to be able to enjoy this crazy endeavor.