From The Publisher – More Than Ribbons: Life Lessons From The Barn

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14 – July/August, 2025

By Tom Grabe

The smell of hay, the creak of saddle leather, the quiet presence of a horse beside you—these are things that stay with you long after childhood ends. I grew up showing horses, but what I gained had little to do with winning ribbons and everything to do with responsibility, resilience, and gratitude.

My mother made it all possible. She sacrificed time, money, and energy so I could chase my passion. She trailered horses before sunrise, worked hard to buy me a horse and pay to show it; and she stood ringside in every kind of weather. I didn’t understand it fully then, but I do now: she wasn’t just supporting a hobby. She was investing in my character.

Caring for and showing horses is more than weekend fun. It’s a lifestyle that teaches lessons few other experiences can. Horses require you to show up—every day. They depend on you for food, care, and companionship. You learn early on that their well-being comes first, no matter what kind of day you’ve had.

Those early mornings and long hours in the barn taught me the value of work. Mucking stalls, hauling hay, cleaning tack, washing horses and clipping legs and bridlepaths—none of it is glamorous, but all of it matters. Horses don’t reward shortcuts. They respond to consistency, patience, and presence. In that way, they shape you into someone who finishes what they start.

Click here to read the complete article
14 – July/August, 2025