07/04/2026
One of the many things I appreciate about this country, is our differences. You may not know this, but my husband Jeff, is retired Air Force; I have yet to meet a more patriotic person in my life.
If Thanksgiving, Christmas and the Eagles winning the Super Bowl had a baby...that would be the the equivalent of 4th of July for Jeff... and he firmly believes one of the few things that separate us from the animals, and I quote, " IS BARBECUE and the ability to blow SHI*T UP!"🤣
I on the other hand, prefer a more subtle approach to the 4th.
I do love his BBQ, and always appreciate a good sparkler, but my idea of a grand finale is a little more low key, say maybe a purple smoke ball and a can of worms. I appreciate this great country and I celebrate it, but I also appreciate the quiet of the barn and know how stressful this day can be for our ponies.
So while he's checking the grill, I'm usually out checking on them, especially as the noise starts to increase. We live out in the woods, but the tree line is no buffer for what sounds like rockets the neighbors put off.
I always give the horses an extra long groom in the AM. Lots of love, carrots, apples, hoof oil and of course a good curry followed by the Good Stuff™ and an extra over layer of Fly Dope.
Today, it is overcast and that means more midges. We'll pull them in and button up the barn early because of the noise; so I always double dose Fly Dope on the the walls to ensure they are comfortable in their stalls.
I spray down the walls and beddings once at turnout to give it time to soak in, then I will respray everything right before I pull them in, to ensure they are comfortable and bug free at night.
I made them a mix of Randy Travis, Willie Nelson and some other classics that I leave on loop in hopes of drowning out some of the noise, I kiss their noses and check every hour until the crazy around us stops.
It probably calms me more than it does them, but in all the chaos I welcome the quiet, the fuzzy noses and the soft nickers when they hear my footsteps and I am thankful I get to choose to spend my day how I want to, because others fought so hard to defend our right to do so.
However you decide to spend your day, I hope it is exactly what you want it to be.
Have a safe and wonderful 4th and as always; pat your pony for me!
Sara
