Foggy Bottom Ranch

12/25/2024

11/30/2023

10/28/2023

My boy Doobie!!

08/02/2023

𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨…

This is such a relevant topic for me to speak about, because I’ve been feeling less than due to my health issues and not particularly wanting to ride Blue, and even questioning whether I’ll ride Amethyst when she’s older.

The equestrian industry has conditioned my mind to think that, if I have a horse that I don’t ride it’s “𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝”. If I have a horse that I only ride sometimes I’m a “𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫”. If I don’t see my horses everyday I’m a “𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐦”.
If I don’t compete I’m not a “𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫”, if I only trial ride I mustn’t be a “𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫”. If I don’t have the latest tack, equipment or clothing I must be “𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬”.
If I decide to keep my horses as pets I must be “𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲”.
If I decide to treat a pony medically, who couldn’t take me round grassroots I’m “𝐩𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”

This conditioning is inaccurate, toxic and harmful…

I’m here to say that, if you don’t ride. If you have disabilities and limitations you are a 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧. If you don’t have the latest saddle pads or tack, you’re still a 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧.
If you don’t compete that doesn’t mean you’re not a good rider, you’re still a 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧.

No horse is wasted, if it’s cared for and loved.

Written By- The Fearful Rider & The Write Lead Freelance Equestrian Writer

Art Work By- Dorota Kudyba Art

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07/27/2023

You were loved by so many Charlie!!!
I will miss you cousin!!!

04/11/2023

😂😂😂

02/13/2023

Don’t over complicate it....

There was a time when you were just happy to ride, happy to be in the company of horses. It didn’t matter if you could execute a perfect lead change or jump double clear rounds. You were just happy to have two feet in the stirrups and ears leading the way.

You didn’t care about having the best tack, the coolest boots, or the newest hi-tech breeches. An old ex-racehorse, your favourite, and wearing a worn out pair of jeans with a colourful t-shirt did the job just fine.

You didn’t spend the days between Christmas and New Year planning a heavy schedule of training sessions, clinics and competitions. You threw tinsel round your pony’s neck and went hacking with friends. The new year was just another 365 days to go riding.

Don’t forget that you started this sport because you loved the animal. You loved the rush of galloping across open fields and the serenity of watching horses quietly graze in the sun. You do this because there is nothing on this earth that makes you feel more alive than being on the back of a horse, so don’t overcomplicate it.

Enjoy the little things, because one day you will look back and realise... they weren’t little at all.

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas to all!!