Essay Update and Frolicking Horses

Well, I finished my essay. I cranked it out pretty fast yesterday, and then I went back and fixed it today. Basically I talk about how I started riding, Captain, my job (which I will elaborate on later in this post), and horseback riding in general. It's about three pages long (it's only supposed to be two - hopefully they won't care!) and it took me most of the afternoon yesterday. I'm just glad it's finished.

I've never mentioned this before, but every Sunday I work at the same barn I ride at. I'm in a Work-to-Ride program, so in exchange for working I only have to pay half price for my lessons each month. I feed all the horses on the farm (all of them get hay and some get grain), give them water if needed, let two paddocks out to pastures, and muck out two stalls. I start at 10:30 and usually finish between 11:30 and noon. It can be pretty tiring, especially when it's hot out and all the bugs are swarming, but I'm happy to do it to get a discount on my lessons!

Today was the third week in a row where I've gotten to let two paddocks out on grass. I couldn't for part of the winter because one horse destroyed all the fencing (and I think another reason but I'm not sure what that is), so I've just recently gotten to start opening the gates again. It's one of the best feelings in the world to open the gate and immediately see horses trotting or cantering out to run in the field. One horse was rolling his neck and bucking - he was so happy to be able to run around! It made me smile to see them having so much fun. Those kind of rewards are the most satisfying ones of all. :)

Happy Mother's Day!

End of School Essay

For the end of the year everyone in my grade at school has to write an essay. The essay is pretty open-ended, but you have to follow a few prompts. The prompts this year are basically 'How have you changed throughout your middle school years?' and 'What events/people have influenced those changes?' So you can write about anything you want as long as you talk about how you've grown since you were in elementary school.

So why am I writing this on my blog about horses, you may ask. It's because (surprise, surprise) I've decided to write my essay on how horseback riding has changed me and made me a different person than I was when I was younger. I was really excited to start writing because this is something that I'm passionate about talking and writing about, but now that it's the weekend and this essay is due on Monday (yikes!) I'm feeling some pressure and I don't know where to start.

There's so many ways I've changed because of horseback riding, but it's so hard to put it in words! I plan to start writing my essay today, so when I've actually gotten somewhere with it, I'll try and post an update, probably when I'm finished. Hopefully the awesome music of Mumford & Sons will inspire me to write something revolutionary. :) Wish me luck!