Happy where I am

While we were visiting my mom in California, my sister and I spent some time walking in nearby Eaton Canyon.

Because of the extremely wet winter, the canyon was filled with water...

and everything was green.

It was glorious.

Of course, me being me, I also had to make a quick visit to the former site of Eaton Canyon Riding Club. I didn't take any pictures, but it looked pretty much exactly the same as it did last time I was there.

For reference, this is what it looked like in 1986.

I've always said that I never wanted anything more than to own a horse and keep it at ECRC. 

Cinnamon, 1983

Literally, that was the dream throughout my childhood and teen years.

Filly, 1982

In retrospect, however, I realize that although that would have been great for me, it would have been a lot less good for my horse.

Budweiser Clydesdale in temporary residence for the Rose Parade

Those stall were small and dark. None of them had attached runs, and many didn't even have outside facing windows.

Chalk Dust

The horses could see their neighbors, but they couldn't touch them.

Holly

And there were just two tiny turnouts for all those horses.

Cinnamon

It seemed normal at the time, but looking back, all I can think is, "Oof."

I do keep Olive in a stall, 

but it has an attached run.

She can see the sky. She can touch her neighbors.

I am also extremely diligent about getting her out of her stall every single day.

Sometimes it's a ride or solitary turnout...

but more often than not, it's a play group.

I want her to have the opportunity to run,

groom...

and just be a horse.

In the last couple months, I've started transitioning her to the mare field. She still goes back to her stall at night, but large parts of her days are spent amongst a group of friends.

I think she's content.

There's a part of me that will always want to have a horse at Eaton Canyon Riding Club, but most of me - and all of Olive - is happy where I am.