Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How much is too much?

How much is too much, when it's stuff for your horse?
Yes, there are six different containers in the photo, and yes, they are all filled with horse equipment. That's a bareback pad and a stable blanket in the truck bed, and I didn't drag out the two trash can containers that have more blankets or include the saddles and saddle blankets/pads that I have. Oh, and there were three more horse blankets hanging on the arena fence drying from being washed.
Is it too much?
After going through all of this stuff, I came home and put three items on craigslist for sale: an English saddle, a western saddle and a stable blanket. I can't justify keeping any of these items, because I have a better English saddle that I ride in; the western saddle has a 14-inch seat that my rear won't fit in; and I purchased a stable blanket with a belly band last fall that I like better then the plain old stable blanket with straps. Might I mention, I put the "old" one on my horse perhaps 6 times? It's in brand new condition so hopefully someone out there can jump on getting a great blanket for a $20 discount.
That purple tote on the pickup's tailgate is full of first aid and health supplies, like wraps, hoof ointment and weight builder.
The silver tote on the ground is what I call the "show tote." It contains the things I use for the horse when I show, like clean Sleazies, towels, a separate grooming kit with all the essentials, and a clean halter for show day travel.
The blue tote has numerous cinches, a helmet, saddle blankets, about six bridles, and several sets of reins. The box sitting on the gray tote has two sheets; the container next to it has leg gear (think polo wraps, splint boots) and extraneous bits; the similar container on the ground has halters (so many halters!!).
Not pictured is my beloved western saddle, my husband's saddle, my English saddle, the bridles I do use, and those blankets I mentioned. Now, here's the kicker: I OWN ONLY ONE HORSE.
To excuse some of my horse clutter, I was given many saddle & horse blankets by my trainer, who retired at age 86 from riding. But the rest of it? All came home under my purchasing premises that I'd need it some day.
Of course, my mother and I share stuff, but she's horseless at the time. So, do I try to get rid of the stuff I'm not using? My immediate answer, of course, is no! Because I might someday need those halters for the herd of horses I'll own when I'm rich.
I do find solace in the thought that now that my daughter will one day have her own horse, I can find a use for those bits and blankets. Maybe then I can also convince my husband to start riding again, too, so I'll keep that saddle around.
In the meantime, I'll be honest: I'm not getting rid of any of my horse clutter, because there's not such a thing as too much horse stuff. :)

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