May 22, 2026: The Adjustment Phase
Connie said something this week that made me laugh:
"Horse ownership is like getting married after one date and a test from the doctor."
Honestly, I laughed and then immediately thought, well crap, that’s actually pretty accurate.
With people, we date. We spend time together. We learn habits, personalities, quirks, and occasionally discover things that make us question our life choices before making long-term commitments. We get to know families, values, and routines. We communicate. We ask questions.
With horses? You ride them once or twice, maybe spend a few hours around them, and then say:
"Yep. I’ll take this thousand-pound animal with opinions, instincts, and the ability to launch me into next Tuesday."
As a first-time horse owner, I think I expected horse ownership to look something like this:
Buy horse → ride horse → enjoy horse → live happily ever after.
Simple enough.
Instead, I’m learning that horse ownership involves much less certainty than I imagined and a whole lot more of something else: Waiting. Evaluating. Adjusting. Reassessing. Changing plans. Then repeating all of those things over and over again.
I’m also discovering that horses are rarely static. Feed changes. Saddle changes. Training changes. Boarding situations change. Hoof care changes. Veterinary recommendations change. Seasons change. Supplements change.
Even the horse itself can change depending on age, confidence, environment, workload, stress levels, herd dynamics, hormones, physical discomfort, or simply becoming more settled over time.
Speaking of change, Sarah brought Bee over to the barn this week and Alexis immediately noticed she has dropped quite a bit of weight since being in training. Not unhealthy weight. More of that "I suddenly have abs and look athletic" kind of weight. She’s looking leaner, more fit, and less "thick-boned girly." Now Alexis is Mexican and, according to Alexis, he appreciates his girls with a little curve to them. He looked at Bee and basically implied she was getting a little less... substantial than before. Meanwhile, I’ve apparently entered a beautiful phase of life where Bee loses weight and I find it. Teamwork really does make the dream work.
What worked six months ago may not work six months from now.
I think before Bee, I assumed there was a right answer hiding somewhere if I could just find it. The right saddle. The right supplement. The right trainer. The right riding routine. The right plan.
Now I’m realizing horse ownership is often less about finding the answer and more about paying attention.
Right now Bee and I seem to be somewhere in the adjustment phase. We’re trying magnesium again to see whether it helps regulate some of her nervous energy. Sarah continues working with her while I gather information, listen to people I trust, and try very hard not to force a decision simply because I feel like I should have one.
I’m realizing something else too.
Sometimes not making an immediate decision is responsible ownership.
Not every question needs a dramatic response.
Not every challenge requires a complete overhaul.
Sometimes gathering information is the answer.
And sometimes you're a first-time horse buyer and don’t really know what the eff you’re doing.
Um…
Hi.
It’s me.
Maybe Bee and I are still figuring each other out. Maybe we’re adjusting. Maybe we’re learning. Or maybe horse ownership is simply realizing that certainty is overrated and flexibility deserves a little more credit.
Either way, I’m fairly sure none of the horse books prepared me for how much of this journey would involve changing plans.
Around the Barn
EO has officially acquired a barn kitten and, as expected, she now belongs to all of us.
Meet Birdie.
Birdie was found tucked up inside someone’s car engine compartment without a momma or siblings in sight. Tiny little thing. She arrived with fleas, which Connie and Allison quickly handled with a bath and some much-needed TLC.
Our very own Dr. Payton gave her a full once-over and estimated she’s around five weeks old. Aside from needing antibiotics for her right eye and some proactive deworming, she got a clean bill of health. In another three to four weeks she'll be ready for vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and flea control.
She is already fitting right in at EO and has somehow managed to become everyone’s kitten simultaneously. Also, she has the cutest little folded-over ears like some fancy Scottish cat breed. I'm no cat expert, but I do know she has already mastered the art of looking adorable and securing unlimited staffing resources.
Apparently the barn now has one more creature collecting multiple moms and aunties.
Also, I want to give a shoutout to my friend Carly. Carly has been competing in play days recently and I’m ridiculously proud of her.
Carly (on Dixie) choking Ashley (trainer and bestie) for her sense of humor.
For my non-horse readers, play days are a little less formal and are designed to be fun, supportive events where riders can compete in different games and speed events while building confidence and experience. Think lower pressure, more cheering, less Olympic-level intensity.
I especially love seeing adults try new things because somewhere along the line we decide that competing, learning, or looking silly is apparently reserved for younger people.
Carly clearly did not get that memo.
And good for her.
Until next week,
Christina and one very adjustable mare