Back before hoof picks were all the colours of the rainbow with little brushie things and plastic and ergonomically correct – we had these full on metal ones.
You had two colour options – blue and red handle.
I have an amazing recall when I bought what was most likely one of my very first hoof picks at a feed store in the East end of Ottawa – feed NOT tack store (ya’ll know where I mean if you are old like me). They have a location in the west end now….
I kept that darn thing in my back pocket – all the time. You always need one and can never find one – so I swore I would never be with out one.
I stopped riding when I met what is now my ex husband. Destined for a better life I suppose – or so I thought. Breaking free from small town life to experience life in the big city.
I kept that hoof pick with me. Perhaps a reminder of the joy I found in the barn – flying over fences and smelling like a manure pile or just because I could not bear to part with it.
That hoof pick traveled with me to each home in a box most likely – through the birth of two children and the ultimate demise of my marriage where I “lost” custody of some of my most valued treasures.
I still had that hoof pick though.
Fast forward MANY years to meeting the love of my life – my children grown and my very own grand baby and I often wondered where that damn thing was.
Owning my own farm and ALWAYS with a hoof pick in my back pocket or at least within arms reach – you know??? like lip balm – you got your pocket one – your purse one – your car one?? No??
I knew I had it – it was in a box somewhere no doubt where I would stumble upon it in my waning years.
Spring is coming and with that – I tend to like to rearrange my office.
Get some more light in here – get my tack out of here and just a general clean up of the pile that just builds.
Cleaning my credenza – what do I happen upon?
Well I’ll be damned it wasn’t in a box after all – it was in the bottom left hand corner credenza all these years.
I hold it in my hand and I am instantly transported back to my 4H days with a beat up old Appy named Blue (my first horse) and I smile and tuck it in my back pocket.
Orange Acres 