Okay, I'm taking this out of one of my horse mags that just came in the mail, but I thought it would be fun to ask everybody here and see your answers. I'll start with mine and you can copy & paste and then add your answers
1. Would you rather have 20 boarding horses that are mischievous miniatures or have 20 huge draft horses?
I'd rather have the 20 huge draft horses, mischievous miniatures are only cute for so long (personal experience!).
2. Would you rather muck stalls with a flat tire on your wheelbarrow or with half the prongs of your pitchfork missing?
Definately the flat tire, using a broken pitchfork has always drove me bananas!
3. Would you rather have a feed scoop that only fits a handful of grain or have a hose that only trickles water?
I think I'd go with the feed scoop that only fits a handful of grain, of course if all the horses in my stable were fed grain, I may not have a facility left by the time I got everybody fed
4. Would you rather teach a lesson in a snow storm or teach a lesson in a dust storm?
Snow storm! I really don't like the crunchiness factor that sand/dust involves, always dread riding in a very dusty ring.
5. Would you rather have all of your clients be under 15 years old or over 70 years old?
Under 15 years old, I love working with children, they are so open minded and willing to learn! They also tend to treat animals with a lot of love, kindness and respect!
6. Would you rather have an unruly client or an unruly horse?
Unruly horse for sure, that I know how to deal with!
7. Would you rather host a horse show every single weekend all summer long or travel to a horse show every single weekend, all summer long?
I would rather be on the road to horse shows, all weekend, every weekend!
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Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. - John Wayne
1. Would you rather have 20 boarding horses that are mischievous miniatures or have 20 huge draft horses?
I would definitely rather have 20 mischievous draft horses. At least they could be put to good use (plowing, etc) if the owners allowed. Mischievous miniatures have never proven to be cutesy and adorable when they go and let all the other horses out of their stalls...
2. Would you rather muck stalls with a flat tire on your wheelbarrow or with half the prongs of your pitchfork missing?
Flat tire - a broken pitchfork is pretty well useless if you can't pick up poo!
3. Would you rather have a feed scoop that only fits a handful of grain or have a hose that only trickles water?
The feed scoop! I'd rather just work twice as much to get the feed done rather than stand around for half an hour to fill up a single bucket with water!
4. Would you rather teach a lesson in a snow storm or teach a lesson in a dust storm?
Snow storm for sure. You can always bundle up warmer, but dust storms are bound to cause more respiratory problems, as well as probably include hot weather.
5. Would you rather have all of your clients be under 15 years old or over 70 years old?
I think I'd have to say I'd rather have my clients all be under 15. Young people may be strong willed and difficult, but so are horses! Don't get me wrong, plenty of people in their 'upper years' are incredibly strong willed and difficult, but young minds are usually much more willing to learn new information and absorb things like a sponge.
6. Would you rather have an unruly client or an unruly horse?
I'd rather have an unruly horse. They are much easier to figure out the root cause and figure out how to work through it than people who can some times just be jerks for the heck of it with no regard for anyone else.
7. Would you rather host a horse show every single weekend all summer long or travel to a horse show every single weekend, all summer long? I'd definitely much rather be on the road all weekend every weekend. I've helped put on huge events similar to horse shows before and they are incredibly stressful even when planned out months in advance. No way I'd be looking forward to planning and running one every weekend!
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Riding a horse is not a gentle hobby, to be picked up and laid down like a game of Solitaire. It is a grand passion. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
1) 20 drafts. Easier to see/find them.... maybe. And they are more inclined to think in slow motion.
2) Flat tire, no question! Dull and/or missing tines make me hostile and waste time. I blame it on my perfectionism.
3) Feedscoop that holds small volume. I can always find something bigger to scoop with (my own two hands : ) but the slow-running hose, 'specially in winter....
4) Snow: more fun, softer landing, nowhere near as dirty as dust, easier on the lungs/eyes, won't get wet as fast as if in the rain, not too cold if you're workin : )
5) Over 70. Not a kid fan (usually due to the inattentive parents), the fear factour is different in adults than children, I can relate to them more easily, can speak more freely to them.
6) Unruly client: I can tell them, with no room/chance for misinterpretation, where/when to get off, literally AND figuratively. This is NOT bad for business, it is good for my horses.
7) Honestly? Neither. Prob'ly because I already travel every weekend thru the summer to either work or volunteer at events.
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"....there is no normal life, Wyatt, there's just life..."
These choices sound very close to he** in the barn! The only easy one is - yes, I'll take the tiny feed scoop over a slow hose any day, but the rest, Oh, the horror!
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"If I am fool, it is, at least, a doubting one; and I envy no one the certainty of his self-approved wisdom." Byron