FEATURE STORY The Best Presents Are Free The Gift of Time Brings Joy in Any Season The Skagit Valley Pony Club gave their time and energy to spiff up my farm during a difficult time. S Story and Photos by Kim Roe barn. A group of my students and their parents showed up and spent a day helping with these chores. Last winter, after our terrible ice and wind storms, my place was littered with fallen trees and branches. Two students and their significant others came with chainsaws and strong backs. They spent a whole day helping me deal with the mess. In both cases, I was deeply touched. These are gifts I will never forget. Go for a ride. Do you know someone who often rides alone? Or maybe there’s someone who’d love to go for a trail ride, but doesn’t have a trail-riding buddy. Invite them to ride with you. Devise a schedule and meet them on a regular basis. Show them some nice trails, or spend an enjoyable hour or two in an arena. You can brainstorm, talk about goals, and enjoy each other’s company. It might be a gift to both of you. Groom at a show. Do you have a friend that would like to go to some shows but can’t manage the experience alone, doesn’t have a trainer, or can’t afford to hire a groom? If you have grooming skills and aren’t showing, your presence at the show and a helping hand will be most appreciated. Give a lesson. This is mostly for professionals. We can offer some-one the gift of knowledge and experience. One warning: many horse people do not appreciate unasked for help. I never offer help unless it’s requested. But if you have a student who is struggling to pay for lessons, giving them some freebies is a wonderful gift. Haul them. Many horse owners know the frustration of being without a truck and trailer. They dream of going to a clinic, a trail ride, a lesson, or a show, but don’t have the wheels to get there. Of-fer to haul them to one of these events. I’ve seen this gift given of-ten, especially to children in Pony Club and 4-H. I’m always moved by the generosity of those adults willing to do this for a child who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity. Decorate the barn (or house). For many years, a good friend of mine has cut and brought me a Christmas tree when she cuts her own. It’s a gift I really appreciate. Another friend makes and gives beautiful wreaths. These simple acts of kindness and generosity bring me great joy in the holiday season. ometimes the holidays are overwhelming. We want to give presents that reflect how important our friends and loved ones are to us, but purchasing multiple gifts brings on a financial crisis. Or maybe we just don’t know what our favorite horse person wants or needs. This holiday season consider giving the gift of time, shar-ing something you already have, or creating something unique that might be appreciated. You can design a coupon book or an IOU note to tuck into a card. That way, the gift can be collected even after the holiday season is over. Here’s a list of my top picks of money-free gifts for horse people. Take care of their horses so they can get away. This might be my favorite present. The downside of horses in your backyard is that getting away can be nearly impossible. Many couples are forced to take separate vacations. If you have the ability and skills to care for horses, give your friend a vacation from horse care and an op-portunity to get off the farm. It is a great present for any horse person — even if it is just for one feeding. Animal care is a generous gift for horse owners. Clean up the farm. About six months after the death of my hus-band I was exhausted. The upkeep on my farm had become over-whelming and I had fallen behind on simple things, like weeding flower beds, weed-whacking, and general clean up around the 18 November 2017 The Northwest Horse Source Put some thought into how to help someone or share a talent. You might just make this holiday season the best one ever for a friend or loved one — and for yourself too! NWHS www.nwhorsesource.com
The Northwest Horse Source NWHS 1117 Issue: Page 18
