Reader, I’m writing to you from a cozy little room in my new barn, that is slowly taking shape as my tack room. There are a few hooks now on the walls, with many more strewn across the wooden floor, as I try to envision the best layout for all my gear. I remind myself to leave room for more harnesses, for the clients that will join us here in the coming months.
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We moved to a new barn this past weekend — one that is closer to my house, and that promises more opportunities for my growing lesson and training program.
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It’s not easy to leave a place that you love, and admittedly I put this move off more than once in the last couple years, but here we are now, stepping through the door of a new chapter.
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In many ways, it feels like when you finally buy a new horse, after retiring Old Faithful. You knew it was time for a new partner; you did your due diligence in trying many horses to find the right match, getting your trainer’s opinion, the vet check, all the things… and even though you’re quite sure you made a good choice and are excited about your new partner, it takes some time to get your feet under you again while you get to know each other.
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Often, there are some moments of shock at first, when you realize that this isn’t your old horse who you know so well. This is a new beast, entirely.
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It’s funny how we tend to remember the past — old horses, old homes, old relationships… — with rose-coloured glasses. Looking back, we tend to minimize their faults and their struggles, as though they had never existed. We mysteriously forget the tough days, the long walks home, the frustration, the tears, and remember the good days, the big wins, and the feeling of ease.
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In fact, what we’re remembering, more than anything, is the feeling of familiarity.
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Your old guy was terrified of cows, but you knew that he was terrified of cows, and you knew exactly how he would react if he saw them. With the new horse, you’re just getting acquainted, so you can’t yet predict how he’s going to respond in any given situation. Everything is a question mark, while you get to know each other.
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This unfamiliarity can be hella uncomfortable!
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But it’s not inherently bad. We know that we have to step out of our comfort zone in order to grow and expand. We know that the new horse, the new barn, the new relationship is more than likely a positive change.
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But that feeling of things being new and unknown can sure activate those “danger” triggers inside our little monkey brains!
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So as I get settled into the new barn — just like the new horse — I’m doing a lot of reality-checking, that this feeling of discomfort that comes up in some moments is just the feeling of getting to know someplace new. And that’s okay.
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It’s gonna take some time for this to start to feel like home like our old barn did. That’s not a problem. That’s just reality. It’s gonna take some time for my horses to start to feel at home here too. This is where I really have to lean into faith that I made this move for a reason, and it will be worthwhile, given some time for us all to get settled in.
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And so, every day, I let the horses hang out for a while out of the wind in our grooming stall, while I hang a few more hooks on the walls. And every day, this new barn feels just a teensie bit more like home.
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Until next week,
Christine

P.S. Do you have a favourite feature in your tack room that you love to show off? Harness hooks you totally love? Storage solution for all the odds and ends that's both beautiful AND functional? I wanna see it! Send me your photos for inspiration! 😍