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In Loving Memory...
~ Gogo Fatale ~


6/2/01 - 10/11/11
~ Forever the Marest of Them All ~
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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Ms. Brightside

Those of you who have been following me for a long period of time have seen me go through a couple of jobs along this very strange and wonderfully odd journey my life is taking me on. Most recently, I ended up far, far (far, far, far, far, far) from my last homebase in Connecticut when I took a job in Texas. It wasn't ideal, and it wasn't really what I wanted to do, but I needed something. It seemed like it would be fun to do for a little while.

It wasn't. But that's life.

In a very bizarre turn of events, seven months into this new Texas life I decided to take a few days off for a clinic and mini-vacation. During this time, I received a very unpleasant shock when I received one lone text stating that all of the horses on the property were leaving the Tuesday after I returned. Permanently. I'm not clear on why, but it doesn't matter. Very effectively, this has completely eradicated my job. I have the task now of finding a new job, a new house, and a new barn... quickly. Again.


But I'm not doing this again. I'm not throwing myself to the mercy of someone who offers housing, board, and a salary in one big trapped-like-a-rat burrito ever again. I'm not grooming, riding, managing, or catering to the elite any longer. I'm not going to ever be in a situation where I find myself panicked, jobless and homeless whenever a job falls through, for whatever reason. It's a miserable way to live.



Honestly though, despite everything, I'm glad this all worked out the way that it did. Because I took the job in Texas, I found Future Hubs, and that in and of itself is worth all of this drama and heartbreak. If I hadn't moved here, I wouldn't have ever met him. And because this job has been so sub-par, I had the incentive and drive to actually start school, and get going on my career of choice. I was happy with my last two jobs, so I didn't bother to do more than look into it. This time, I took the initiative and went for it, and I'm glad I did. I'm not ready at this point to take on clients, but I will be soon. If I can get through this interim, everything will come together. If I can make it through whatever kind of housing situation I end up with for the next six or so months, I'll be able to get a place with Future Hubs (that's when his commitment at his current house ends). If I can get some sort of something-or-other job to just pay the bills for however long, I can take it part time when I accumulate more clients, and I can eventually go full time with trimming when I am ready.




So yea, it sucks a bit at the present moment. There is going to be a period of time when I am probably going to be a bit hungry and a bit miserable. But really, how is that going to be ANY different from the past three years?
There is a better life coming, and I'm making it happen myself. It's the journey that counts just as much as the end result.



Go hug your grooms and barn managers today though. They bust their asses for you and they struggle very hard breaking their bodies down for minimum wage. Thank them and tell them they're doing a good job every chance you get. If they do a good job, they deserve to hear it.

26 comments:

Arethusa said...

I'm sure it will be a relief for you when YOU are your own boss. I totally know what you mean about being tossed around. The good news is, while the horse industry may face its ups and downs, horse's feet will grow no matter what.

Funder said...

Like! I'm so glad you're going to be a trimmer. :)

Val said...

Never a dull moment, Andrea.
That is very weird about the barn closing so suddenly, but I am so glad that you are going to be a barefoot specialist!

Dressager said...

WE NEED MORE BAREFOOT TRIMMERS!

fairhavenmagick said...

Here's to hoping you and your guy find a place a little more east when the time comes. I just south of Dallas and would LOVE a barefoot trimmer for my three guys!

Melissa said...

Good luck to you!

Anonymous said...

I think that's the best post you've ever written.

Lisa said...

Good on you! It will all be worth it. I'm so glad you are going into hoof care! I really really really want to go full time trimming ( I have about 10 clients at the moment) however I need to convince my husband that it's a good idea.

Good luck over the rough interim period, we will be rooting for you!!

What course are you doing?

Achieve1dream said...

I'm amazed at your ability to stay positive in such a trying time. Things are going to turn out fantastic for you because you're willing to work hard for it. :D I'm excited for you.

Unknown said...

God I love my barn manager...he's awesome. He's trailered Amber to the vet free of charge to me. Trailered her to the barn free of charge when we moved there, even though he had to go to the barn of the area's horse weirdo everyone is irritated by. Patiently listening to her wild BS about her "olympic" horses that are half wild in her shithole barn while he waited for me to load Amber. Helped me work out some training issues free of charge. Loaned me tack. Kept an eye on her progress to recovery, even when I was doing the same, while she was lame. Covered a couple of farrier bills so she could have her feet done when I didn't know the farrier would be there.

Then again...having BEEN a barn manager for a while (and I work part time as a fill-in for a local barn)...I have a greater appreciation for my own manager because I know what goes on. The barn doesn't look immaculate every time I walk in on it's own. You never realize what all goes on behind the scenes in bigger boarding barns until you actually do the job. It's pretty much never endings - it's always SOMETHING to be done.

Minus Pride said...

I'm sur eyou will find something...I hope it's soon and I hope it's better than what you're doing now.

Check out Patty Lynch when you need to apprentice. She's based out of Maryland...great knowledgeable trimmer!

Nic Barker said...

Good luck, well done and I'll look forward to hearing more :-)

appydoesdressage said...

I feel for you with your lack of notice on the job but am happy that you have found the perfect direction. I've always said that for good or bad things happen for a reason. Now I'll have to have you out for a trim (and a ride, I am desperate for a rider. Amazed how few horseless riders I am encountering) if you come back Michigan!

DockStart said...

Good for you taking fate into your own hands. I'm sure you are going to rock as a farrier! If you ever find yourself up north I have four bare feet ready for you. Good luck with everything, it all sounds so positive!

-DS
Adventures In Colt Starting

Eventing at Midnight said...

*hugs to Andrea* I too found out in a shockwave of fear and horror that I might not have a job next year. Granted you have less time and are a lot calmer about it than I am. I am totally freaking out and I have a whole year to potentially plan for something that may or may not happen. *hugs* To you and I hope you find a nice job until you can live your dream.

Sarah said...

I'm still distracted by the fact that you have a "future hubs"? I thought you were everybody's favorite gay amateur barefoot eventing blogger?

Andrea said...

Sarah, don't worry, I am just as gay as always! I still love women and always will. My man is a transguy.... way better than bio guys.

Checkmark115 said...

As a part-time barn worker, it WOULD be nice to hear a thank you sometime. I get what you're saying. I can't imagine what reason all those horses are leaving....
BUT I can say that you are quite possibly either the most optimistic person I've "met" or the strongest. In the time I've been following your blog, I've seen you pack up and move 2 times...and seemed strong all the way through it. I have a bad day at work or my HW is hard and I break down. good for you! And I need to learn form you sometime

Andrea said...

I put up a good face ;) But truthfully, in this situation, I'm going to be quite a lot better off once I am out of here, and that is incredibly liberating. I can't not be positive about it!

Boss Mare Eventing said...

we're all here for you! Follow your dreams, and you WILL acheive them!

hammerhorses said...

That's great that you're taking your fate into your own hands with your choice of jobs!

I wanted to keep my TB mare barefoot, but her hoof soles are just super thin and her feet don't self trim properly, so after long talks with my farrier about my desire to keep her barefoot, but the chance of her actually retaining enough hoof to stay sound under any sort of work schedule, is slim to none. I'm researching hoof supplements to see if I can find something to make her feet stronger. Any suggestions on a good hoof supplement?

Laura M said...

Life will always put you right where you need to be...whether you like it or not...glad to see you are going with the positive! My navicular mare is going all barefoot today and I am a bit worried as any Mom would be. However I am glad to see that it has worked for an eventing horse so I am sure it can for my somewhat retired one. Best of Luck in your new endeavors!

Zoe said...

I think your post is very insightful. You seem to have learn a lot from your experiences and I think being a barefoot trimmer is going to be a great career for you! Stay positive and lots of positive things will happen!

Zoe said...

I think your post is very insightful. You seem to have learn a lot from your experiences and I think being a barefoot trimmer is going to be a great career for you! Stay positive and lots of positive things will happen!

Kate said...

Hey, if you are looking for work feel free to come up to Canada :P We need more barefoot trimmers. The only one within a two hour drive of my area has a majorly long waiting list... Ah well.
Here's wishing you the best of luck on this new venture. You certainly have gone through a lot since I started reading this blog, and in my opinion, you more than deserve a bit of a break.

Nicku B said...

It's all going to work out great, girl! Do what you gotta do to get your career moving in the direction you want to go and the associated sacrifices will hopefully be short-lived. Ummm...and if all I had to do was move to TX to find the love of my life I'd sign up this minute, haha! Congrats on that too...Love is hands down the most important thing in life and clearly worth all the moves and trouble :)