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Thank you for visiting the Life at Ravenheart Blog. Ravenheart Farms is located near Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada (about 4 hours from Saskatoon, 3 hours from Regina, and less than an our from the growing city of Yorkton, SK).

Friday, May 15, 2015

Horse Crazy!


Some of my best thoughts and ideas come to me while I'm out "mucking" around the barn. A somewhat mindless, yet necessary daily activity, like doing dishes, once I get into it, I find myself musing, relaxing, and enjoying myself. I call it "manure meditation". It is part and parcel of my horse crazy obsession. 

My thoughts this morning were about what makes some of us "horse crazy". Horse crazy people out there will know what I'm referring to. Where does that term even come from? Googling "horse crazy" I naturally found lots of information about the famous Crazy Horse, who, according to Wikipedia was a Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota. He took up arms against the U.S. Federal government to fight against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876. According to PBS, Crazy Horse was recognized among his own people as a visionary leader committed to preserving the traditions and values of the Lakota way of life.

I enjoyed reading about Crazy Horse and his "fierce determination to preserve his people's traditional way of life" (from the PBS documentary you can find at the link here;
 http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/people/a_c/crazyhorse.htm). I admire his courage and fortitude.

I feel that without something in our lives that we feel passionate about, enthusiastic, or engaged with, we are more apt to feel lost and empty. During my darker moments I am aware and deeply grateful for my horses who depend on me for their daily care and attention and always move me into a lighter, happier place. As per Google's definition of enthusiasm, "an intense and eager enjoyment and interest."

I couldn't find any reference to where the term "horse crazy" came from. It is an interesting term to me. Where else is a similar term used? I don't hear people referring to someone as being "boat crazy","golf crazy", or car crazy, yet we know there are people out there that fit these descriptions and more.

As a lifetime "horse crazy" person, I can tell you that it can be an obsession, hopefully a healthy one!  "Obsess: preoccupy or fill the mind of (someone) continually, intrusively, and to a troubling extent". (source: Google). And those last few words "to a troubling extent", lol! What horse crazy person hasn't been known to spend their last dime on horse feed or equipment, read every book about horse care, neglect loved ones, spend all of their "free" time with their horses, and talk non-stop about horses to their horsey friends, or anyone who feigns interest?

I prefer the Google definition of crazy as "extremely enthusiastic". And, like Crazy Horse who was dedicated and bravely passionate about standing strong for his people and way of life, crazy, in my mind, is really about caring deeply about something or someone. 

I'm keenly interested in why we develop interests and what inspires the range of interests, hobbies, career choices, lifestyle, and sports to name a few. I've always loved animals, horses and dogs in particular, as long as I can remember. I distinctly remember being called "horse crazy". A drive in the country with my grandfather would suddenly prompt a "stop Grandpa, there's a horse!" And he would stop of course, and out we'd get to say hello. 

I believe that this kind of obsession is mostly a good thing. I think about friends and family who love gardening, quilting,art, cooking, writing, photography, hiking, sustainable living and many other activities. I am fascinated by the resources and economic creation inspired by our personal interests such as products, equipment, magazines, blogs, and clubs. Come to think of it, our world's economy thrives on much of what we purchase or contribute to our passions, interests, or crazy obsessions.

For everyone I know who would never consider shoveling horse manure as a fun and meaningful activity, I know there are that many more out there who totally get the many benefits of a "manure meditation".

Our lives are enriched by our hobbies & interests. They help keep us active, busy, engaged, connected, and productive. They can provide relief from our darkest moments, sadness, and pain. Whether you find peace in your garden, a hike in the forest, a round of golf, or with the stroke of your paint brush, may you know that a little bit of crazy is a good thing!

Satisfaction!
Photo by Saskia Dockrill
In one end and out the other! Endless!




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