Winning at Adulting

BGA blogger Kate Harley on Christmas and winning at adulting!

Hey everyone, I hope you are all well. The festive period is now upon us and I don’t know about you but I’m fairly Grinch-like about it all until I go to Olympia - and then I go into full on elf mode! Following that there’s no stopping my Christmas jumpers and the Christmas channel goes on the radio, cue my awful singing to Mariah Carey ‘All I want for Christmas’!

I’m that annoying person though that leaves the present shopping until Christmas Eve. In recent years I have got better though. I used to drag my poor friend Charlie with me every year on Christmas Eve to the big shopping centre, but this year I’ve already got two presents - winning at adulting!

This is the time to be thinking not only about shopping for the humans in your life but for the horses too. Make sure you plan ahead and be sure to have plenty of hay, feed and bedding in stock, although the shops only tend to shut for a few days now but still better to be prepared.

Get the farrier booked in if needed, you’re better off getting them shod slightly early than risk going too long and losing a shoe.

Having the Christmas rota organised is really important so it’s clear who is working when. It goes without saying that you should try and make it as fair as possible for everyone. If people live in and have family far away and you live close by or have family close then offer to work so those who live further afield can go home.

Think about splitting the days in half, if that’s fairer or easier, or if there’s a bigger group of you it might be nicer to all work and then have dinner together. Christmas is a time for family and friends, fun, love and laughter so try and get everyone involved and make it a special occasion if people have to be away from family and loved ones.

At this time of year it’s important to remember that not everyone might be feeling so festive, or is able to spend time with their family and/or friends. Make sure that everyone on the yard is included and if you, or someone you know, is feeling a bit low or lonely then don’t forget to have a look at Grooms Minds to access the support on there.

I’m a massive foodaholic and love a festive bake, you could have a festive style bake off and all try making different yummy Christmas treats to keep you going on the yard throughout the festive period!

For me this will be the 15th year working Christmas Day. I do the morning which involves turnout if possible, or sand pens and hand grazing, while I muck out and get the necessary jobs done. We try and prepare as much in advance to make it as easy as possible. Then I leave everyone with plenty of hay and treats before they are then finished off later in the afternoon.

I like to make working around Christmas as fun as possible for everyone, lots of Christmas songs, treats, choccies and we decorate the yard for extra festiveness. I also go in Christmas morning in my Rudolph onesie!

If anyone is going to Olympia this year have an amazing time. I’m going on Tuesday evening for the dressage freestyle. This is my Mums and I annual trip – although I must not spend any money (unless it’s on food)!

So with that said I’d like to thank each and every one of you who take the time to read my ramblings throughout the year, and to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I’ll see you all next year!

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