Finding a balance between working, family and riding – Alice MacKay
So I’m just sitting here contemplating my life, and thought I’d write something in the blog. I’m sure I’m not the only rider out there that struggles to find a balance between work, family and horses. Like many women that ride, my husband tolerates the horses but has very little to do with them. I’m ok with that – its my hobby and I’m happy to mend fences, walk collicky horses through the night, or leave a party early to make sure they get fed on time. Don’t get me wrong, if I asked, he would help in a heart beat, but I don’t ask. Its bad enough that a large portion of my paycheque goes to the horses. In the summer I event. I love it and look forward not only to the competition, but hanging out with my friends and living through everyone’s successes and struggles. We (my horse and I) moved up to Prelim level recently and I find that it is a real challenge to keep my horse in shape and I’m working hard to become competitive at that level, rather than just finishing. This means no days off because of laziness or bad weather. It means less time with my family in the afternoons after work, and it means staying close to home during the summer and no long weekends of camping. I have a hectic job, and at times it requires longer work hours and some days I’m just too mentally exhausted to ride. I know my friends that event, have families and work full time also struggle with this. I am fortunate that my daughter enjoys riding. Its not her passion, but she helps me with chores, and always comes to the events with me. It is trickier for my husband. He worries that I’ll get hurt, and doesn’t understand why I’ll ride in monsoon rains, or trailer for an hour to ride in someone elses field. I am fortunate that he’s supportive though – I can’t imagine how difficult it would be if he wasn’t. I’m 41 now, and I think it is unlikely that I will have another horse in my life that has the potential and mind that this one has, so I’d better take full advantage of it while I can. I don’t want to be saying ‘woulda, coulda, shoulda’ in the old folks home. I want to take it as far as I can while my body can still manage it. And besides, I’d be a miserable hag if I didn’t have riding as stress relief, it definitely benefits everyone around me!
