Is there such a place? Not necessarily one of pure ambient opulence; because we all know that that is close to impossible in this chilvarous universe we call home. However surely a place of an ordely; “reasonably normal” life exists amongst all the uncertain risk and anxious waiting that we partake in. Maybe even if we’re lucky or the beads of human and horse sweat aline, there’s a place of stability, and better yet victorious contentment; and wait! wait!; triumph at the same time!!
Regardless, we all fall in between, and around these peripheral fences. And if we’re not falling or attempting to conform with them, we’re trying to soar above and beyond them. But where does the limit exist for us? Is it as non existent as the optimistic protagonist may say? Or is it as existent as it was always intended? An Equestrian Life fate perhaps?
Despite what view or zest one horse wrangler may have to the next, surely the peripheral fences of our universe must at least be addressed one more time, for sentiment’s sake. Firstly the stereotypical “There is no money in horses!” For the faint hearted, the weak spirited and the unlucky in business life perhaps. But surely it can’t be a completely empty barrel. Surely all the wealthy Horse Masters of the World are not completely imaginary! Surely it’s no abyss that the Australian Thoroughbred Industry, is not one of not only resilient evolution through times of ridicule and critique, but also of significant monetary value. This Industry can hold it’s own quite reputably against any other! Behind majority of Thoroughbreds are the upmost care, dedication and resourceful Studs and Owners, just like any other performance breed of horse. To state otherwise due to minority of undesirables, is purely unjust and incorrect.
Secondly; the “Lack of demand, support and interest in horses”. Sure for some, it’s probably hard to believe in this stone age that our “good ol’ cart pullers” and “trusty steeds” could be of any feasible standing in a society, filled with technological mechanisms attached at each limb. However the strong support shown in the #twohearts Campaign, at the Rio Olympics for Equestrian air time, and the 7.59% increase in Ownership, 7.08% increase in Students and 1.8% increase in Senior Membership for Equestrian Australia for 2012 -13, undoubtedly proves the sheer lack of judgment shown by those that claim demand, support and interest for our equine companions, and the sport that we all are apart of, is on life support. It’s evidently alive and thriving!
Third peripheral fence; “Horses are one of the hardest animals to have a successful pregnancy and then have a healthy foal live full term, and then to a striking yearling”. This one is hard to deny, as we all know it is too often than we would like to admit, how difficult and rare it is to find a mare that will accomodate a foetus to full term and successfully fall pregnant as an ideal combination. Rarely do these two breeding traits lie within the same mare, and then even then the Gods need to be in our favour for the first fragile 24 hours, through to the early yearling era. I suppose on the overall scheme of things a true at heart horse breeder will credit the breeding trio (mare, stallion and foal), for ths triumphant addition to the fold; however that would be a modest way of leaving the countless hours, pennies, tears, odd injuries and dedicated personnel spent, shed and utilised unmentioned to achieve what was usually just a dream. To then continue a line or several lines on a Stud, and then train and sell these on to buyers, or keep them and place them into their rightful place on a competitive performance team; is nothing short of an absolute accomplishment. Many Studs do this year after year, and have for up to decades. Sure the odds don’t always fall in the Breeders’ court, with abnormalities, tragic passings; sometimes excessive Vet bills and perhaps hours upon hours of care and rehab if necessary. But speak to any Breeder who is still breeding this season after many years, and they will tell you it has all been worth it. That they’re undying love and passion for these majestic creatures is what motivates them daily to power through the hardships and out right hard yakka.
Fourth; put simply: the frank uncertainty of this Industry. One week can be torrential downpour of such an extent on some properties and localities where training programs of a Stud’s Performance Squad is rendered on pause until the lake – sized puddles subside on the arena and surrounds. Sometimes ghastly gusts of wind can be so strong that jump wings, tree branches and the odd panicking horse’s derriere can become surreal hazards. And on the flipside of the coin, scorching heat can stifle all horses and people to the point of unforgivingly severe dehydration and heat stress. If these weather modes aren’t enough to attempt to adapt to and ride on, for Stud Workers and I guess their respective Managers (past or future), it can be sometimes very rocky grounds to find and maintain positions. Communication barriers with international backpackers, and flexibility requested from both parties can sometimes become a deal breaker in many Stud Worker – Manager Relationships. And then of course just the sheer fact that many Work Contracts are seasonal, or are based on the ebs and flows of a Stud, (both work amount and money wise), can also contribute to tensions and further deal breaking. This particular peripheral fence can be what truly begins to tear Stud Workers and Managers apart at the soul of their passion. The disheartening and ever constant truth, that there are things like these uncertainties, and the fact they can only be controlled so much by us, becomes the end spelt out for many hopefuls. This in turn for most not only leaves the pocket bare, but the mind and heart yearning to be filled once more with a breath of intoxicating horse hope, to get us striving for “Equine Gold” once more.
Lastly, and slightly exaggerating one of the previous peripheral fences, is the actual financial and physical viability for an Equine Life to be possible. Regardless of whether it’s an actual Horse Establishment, or an individual making for themselves a life of horsey fulfilment; affordability and physical limits can and do play a part in being able to “live the dream”. Whether it’s a Stud making ends meet, or hopefully making a profit amongst the many bills, knocks, fatigued times and other life happenings (our families, houses and other life ambitions); or an individual navigating the Equine employment maze; it takes a hell of a lot of resilience, determination and passion for this horse crazy disease that we inhale and exude to the day that we die. With the unfortunate and tragic loss of several young upcoming Equestrians, not only in the Hawkesbury and Hills Area, but Overseas, last few years and prior, it is ever prominent how precarious not only the Equine World but life in general can be. None of us ever wish for such tragedies, and enormous support for the families and the communities concerned, was seen in the form of mosaics created from the #rideforcaitlyn Social Media Movement, and the many #ridefor Campaigns that have followed, for our other lost angels. When that defining moment comes in hard hitting and unforgiving ways like unfortunate passings of fellow Equestrians, it truly reefs the undeniable and overpowering desire for us to ride on, not only for us but for those who would want us to for them.
Even though the existence or depth of most of these peripheral fences varies according to subjective view, and realistic fact, there is no denying that there are some opulent heavens that exist amongst us. Whether it be physical 30 + acre luxury Equestrian Parks, with the equally extravagant and quality boasting facilities, or just a state of mind; a sense of contentment; a sense that yes this is what we work for, live for and have desired with every ounce of our being. It us up to us all as individuals, and as a wider community to decide for ourselves, and then set out to overcome or interweave ourselves over or around the prevalent fences in our life, and continue to propel onwards to each of our most desired ambitions.
Equiraldo is a place that does exist within our deepest fibres, and only we can decide when it has become a tarnished gold beyond repair. Most of you would know the answer for that; never! Why wait for Heaven when we can live and cherish it here right now !?
– Skye Pickering Dip. Horse Business Management