12/22/2025
The Winter Solstice is a turning point for us horse people (emotionally, spiritually, and with some mild delusion....), and here’s why:
1. The days officially stop getting shorter, which means we can all pretend we’ll soon be riding after barn work and/or work again instead of feeding by headlamp like raccoons.
2. There is psychological relief in knowing the darkness has peaked, even if it’s still pitch black by 4:45 p.m. and your horse believes nighttime is for kicking their run in walls or yelling for their friends.
3. You can tell yourself winter is “half over,” even though Mother Nature has not been consulted and is absolutely not on board with that narrative.
4. Barn chores feel slightly less soul-crushing when you convince yourself the sun is “on its way back” while breaking ice with a hammer, or blowing ice boogers out of your nose.
5. You regain just enough optimism to buy new gloves, knowing full well they’ll be soaked, frozen, and missing by January.
6. Horses seem marginally less feral, or maybe that’s just you dissociating while watching them buck or roll in the mud.
7. You start making irresponsible spring plans, like show schedules, clinics, and fitness goals, despite still wearing five layers and thermal underwear.
8. The solstice gives us permission to hope, which is essential barn fuel right up there with caffeine and spite.
And while today does mark a tiny, flickering light at the end of the tunnel, let’s be clear: winter is far from done with us — there’s still a long stretch of cold fingers, frozen hoses, mud season, and at least one surprise snowstorm ahead, so pace your optimism accordingly.
Stay strong, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
