I don’t know who needs to hear this, but horse shows are only one way to enjoy your Miniature Horse.

It’s a challenging time in the world right now, in so many ways, and while I don’t have the life experience or expertise to weigh in on most of it, I do feel qualified to speak to this.

I’ve been concerned by so many posts saying things like “Well if *insert show name here* is cancelled then I’m going to sell my horses!” and even horses listed for sale, with the cancellation of shows cited as a reason.

Honestly, if the cancelling of a few shows – due to a global pandemic no less! – means you want to sell your horses, then I really think you should. If they don’t mean anything to you beyond what they can win at a show, let them go on to someone who will appreciate and enjoy them on the non-show days too … after all, that’s most of them!

I grew up showing horses. This is going to be the very first summer of my entire memory that hasn’t been spent going to horse shows, and only because they’ve all been cancelled in my area due to COVID-19.

I love showing horses. I love having the goal to work towards, the thrill of competition, talking horses with all my horse show friends.

But I don’t love my horses because I can show them. I enjoy showing because I love my horses.

It’s okay for shows to be your favourite thing to do with your horses. But instead of giving up just because you can’t go to shows, use this as an opportunity to branch out and discover other activities that you might enjoy as well.

What new fun activity will you try with your Miniature Horse this summer?