Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Thursday 12 December 2013

To all the little girls who dream...

Hello  all,  whoever is  still  reading. I have  been  on again off again  lately  with  this blog, I keep  meaning to post and while a  thought  might come to me , I haven't  been  able to really  put it into  words.
One  thing  about  Facebook is  that  you  can  check in  with a  quick update and let it go at that, which is  fine I guess, but ...
Though I have  lately  thought it  might  be a  good  way to "mark my  place " as in  post that thought , whatever it may  be and then  let it  percolate a bit and  see if it is a topic I would like to elaborate on.
One  such  place marker is  my  Facebook  post  form  yesterday;

"To all the little girls like me who wanted a pony for Christmas for so many years; you may not have gotten that pony,or at least not as a gift but what you did get was patience, determination, and an understanding that sometimes you don't get what you want just because you want it. And those were great gifts you see, because if like me you eventually went out and bought your own pony/horse you already had some of the tools to become a true horsewoman! And you don't find that under a tree in fancy paper."

It popped into my head yesterday, as I was slogging through chores in the snow and cold thinking it would be nice sometimes if I didn't have to do that. Then I stopped to give Johnny a pet on the nose and a cookie to Annie, I snuggled Andee and I remembered. Why I love these creatures so much and why I wouldn't give it up for the world. It can be hard work but it is so very worth it.
In the cold weather when I have to shovel snowing, or fork  hay, check waters in  cold and  wind,where I have my hat and scarf on  so tight  I have to turn a full circle to look over my shoulder.
 In the summer when it's stinkin' hot but I'm still out checking the mares and foals . Sometimes riding but  often just spending time  enjoying the fruits of my labors. Handling these quiet gentle creatures and knowing that at least part of what they become is a direct result if the work I do .
What does that have to do with my FB post? 
Quite a lot actually, I had horses in my life all the time I was growing up but they were the farm horses, I was able to ride but only when they were not being used . Like many horse crazy little girls I dreamed of the day I would have my very own horse. I have shared the story of how I scrimped and save and finally bought my first horse at the age of 13 . And as hard as it was for me to wait for that day, I really do think it served me well to "earn" her
She was not a gift as such, but in many ways, she and the time it took for me to get her were better gifts after all.
With those gifts I built my own joy, and a sense of pride.
 Many gifts that we receive at Christmas or birthdays when we are young are enjoyed in the moment, and soon cast aside for bigger brighter dreams.
Because I had to save my money and earn my horse I became determined to not let that go and have a sense of pride and accomplishment and not only achieving the purchase of my own horse, but in all I could do with her and my  future.
That first horse was the foundation of what is become fern Valley Appaloosas, a lifelong journey that I have truly been blessed with.Would  I have  kept with  these horses had I not earning my stripes so to speak ? 
It's hard to say, I do believe that those gifts of patience, determination, and the understanding that we just don't always get what we want, just because we want it, are a huge part of why I did .
And why I can call myself with confidence a horsewoman.

So  to all  the  little  girls  who  dream of a  pony, whatever age  you are. That  dream  can  come  true, its  just a  matter of time, patience and...

Stay  safe  my  friends



14 comments:

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I LOVE your writing it makes me dream. HUG B

4RRanch said...

I can't imagine getting a horse for Christmas when it is one of the most personal relationships you will have. A horse needs to be chosen by the rider I think and not blindly given as a gift. A friend's husband recently asked me about getting his wife a horse for Christmas. I said get her a brush and give her the money but she needs to pick out the horse. Oh, and too much time is wasted on facebook. I think a blog has a much more lasting impact as a personal journey. Wow, I think I've said enough.

Willow said...

So true , I identify with this so much !

Country Gal said...

Wonderful post ! I did however get a pony for my birthday when I was 12 after years of bugging my parents , we already lived on a farm and had horses but they were to big for me so my dad went to a good farm friend and trainer and he searched out the perfect pony for me we became best friends . I miss having a pony or being with any horses but I have my Miggs and she keeps me full of sunshine and smiles ! Thanks for sharing . Have a good weekend !

Shirley said...

Facebook has its lure, but blogging is much more personal, and controllable. I agree that giving a horse is not always a good thing. As a child I longed for my own horse, but because my family could not afford one, I learned to ride on many horses at the local trail ride stable, so I think it was good for me as I learned about different horse personalities and so on.
I spend more time now on chores than I do riding, but every minute spent snuggling, feeding or just hanging out with my camera and horses has just as much value to me as time on their backs.

Cricket said...

I have gotten a horse for Christmas twice: once when I was 12 (absolutely best Christmas EVAR!!) and once as an adult (Dec 2011). Both times the horse that came to me became my soul horse and co-being (still working on that with Ashke, but I know it is already in process.)

I have never taken my Heart's Desire for granted, because you see I am only truly whole when I am with my horse. That was true when I was young and it is still true as an adult. He completes a part of me my wife and son do not.

My work as a young adult paid for hay and pasture (I put up three weeks of hay in exchange for two tons a year from the time I was 10.) My work now pays for board and supplements and the never ending amount of tack I covet.

Being given a gift does not diminish the gift, but in some instances, makes it more valued and appreciated.

Paola said...

Although I would like a horse for Christmas, I realize that it just isn't possible, so I'm trying to find ways to work and buy my own horse.

Janice Grinyer said...

hugs to (((FERNVALLEY))))!

you said it so well!

Mike wonders why even in the past with stitches in my belly, or a bad health day, or when its really frozen outside, why i need to check those horses myself...

its because I am a horse(wo)man. This blog post of yours is Gold! What a lovely Christmas present to hand to us!

(((hugs)))!

aurora said...

Wise insight, spoken by a true horsewomen! Your blog posts are so thought provoking, thanks for sharing your patience and determination!

kden said...

What a great story; a good lesson for anybody. I like FB a lot-most of the time, but I wouldn't dare talk about there what I blog about, yikes.

cdncowgirl said...

I loved that FB post and totally agree with it. My momma taught me that what you earn you appreciate & value so much more and I have to agree.

Janice said...

Sherry excellent post. As a child we lived on a farm and all my Siblings had their own horses...every Christmas all I wanted was a horse,it never happened. My Dad used to bring home ponies for me(not for Christmas)I think he found every bad pony in the world. From about 5to 13 I was kicked- bit- dragged -trampled and bucked off more times than you can shake a stick. I think he was trying to kill my love of horses....didn't work. You are right though even though it took me a long time to get my first horse.... that was all mine.I did learn lots along the way...but dand I'm still working on the patience thing. Be well my friend...stay warm!!!!

Unknown said...

What a great post!

Crystal said...

Excellent post Sherry, I too had to earn a horse and he was a bad one and then I was given one as a wedding present, best gift ever! He was an awesome pony(if not a little rough) and perfect for me, at that point I needed someone to pick a pony for me cause I obviously couldn't do it myself. I so agree it teaches us to appreciate it more to work for it, but I think if its something we really want we will work for it as well