Messages
I realize I talk about my horses, and horses in general, probably more than anyone else wants to hear, but it will never cease to amaze me how easily and well lessons from the horse world translate into everyday life for those that are willing to pay attention. The number who are willing to pay attention is infinitesimally small, for the record, but those few people are absolutely winning at life while the majority of the population is missing out.
When I’m at the barn, I’m generally focused on one thing and one thing only: my horses. I’m not there to socialize. I don’t strike up conversations with anyone else because I don’t care to waste time that could be spent with my horses learning about mundane details of people’s lives. I don’t care about those people. I do care about my horses. My focus is allocated accordingly.
I also wear headphones at all times. Usually just one, but it’s obvious. I listen to music, sometimes podcasts, sometimes nothing at all, but the headphone is generally a deterrent against people trying to talk to me. Works for the gym and the barn. As such, most people talk amongst themselves like I’m not even there and while some might find this uncomfortable, I’m here to tell you it’s a huge advantage that most people don’t even know about.
I know so much ridiculous shit just from overhearing people as I walk by that really there’s no need to have a conversation with anyone. I already know everything. I’m just saving them time from having to repeat themselves, so really they should be thanking me for pretending I didn’t hear them while grooming my horse.
If you can’t hide behind your excessively tall horse and pretend you don’t know someone said something to you, what’s the point of having an excessively tall horse to begin with?
Yes, I’m one of those people that abhors small talk and everyone at the barn is generally only capable of small talk. I avoid it as much as possible, but I will speak when spoken to. I consider myself a Victorian child when I’m at the barn. I’m meant to be seen and not heard.
I’m there for my horses. Not for social hour.