When you’re a kid, you believe everything a grown up tells you. And
so, I believed it.
I wanted to have a horse farm when I grew up. I wanted to have a modest sized boarding barn. I wanted to look outside my window and see my arab rolling in shit. Big dreams.
But I also wanted friends and vacations. I wanted to travel and take time off. The dream was dead.
Or so I thought.
When I started MuckMeister Farm over ten years ago, I rented barns and drove to them at least twice a day to care for my boarders’ horses. I worked (and still do!) full time as a paramedic and Registered Nurse and had very little time for myself. I made just enough money to pay rent for the barn and supply my boarders with the necessities. It sucked and it was tough.
Fast forward to 2017. I finally, FINALLY, had my own 14 acre farm which we built from the ground up. I carefully picked the barn location in relation to the house. I made sure my boarders would have a nice bathroom, outside water sources, and a safe environment.
But most importantly, I built my business with people who love their horses, like each other, and appreciate what me and my husband do to keep their horses happy.
When I was a kid, I believed that I would never have a life if I chose horses. As a grown up, I know that was a lie.
I’m sitting at the shore house right now, not the slightest bit worried about my horse or my boarders’ horses. I picked a bunch of boarders that I consider close friends. We may not always see eye to eye on every detail, but we work it out. We all get along. That, my friends, is priceless.
Surround yourself with people that get it. And book a vacation. You need it.
And always check your girth.
-April