Shoveled More Manure Than You Can Shake A Stick At

The project:
Mega manure shoveling (stall cleanout)

Time:
2 hours

Why bother?
Plenty of detail about the origins of this project are posted here. But today I spent extra time because I wanted to get the stalls cleaned up to make future daily cleanups easier. The last renters didn't clean them out, clearly for MONTHS if not YEARS. I spent an hour in each of two stall/corral enclosures today and managed to muck them back to the dirt floors, sweating and singing all the way. I WISH I'd taken before and after pictures! WHY don't I think of the camera at times like these?

Worth it?
Yes - Part way through I confess that I wondered why I was doing it given that there isn't a ride in trade at this point. My ride gets around, but isn't ready for a saddle again yet. But I waved that off, and enjoyed the wonder that is a big project well done.

Scoopin' Poop - LOTS of poop

The project:
Shovel manure for an hour in horse stall clean out.

Time:
An hour.

Why bother?
I've been helping at the arena where my daughters ride. Originally, it was something to do while I waited, then it became a trade for my own horseback riding fix, but when my horse got injured while I was in charge, the chore reverted back to simple good deeds.

Today's effort involved extra elbow grease. Bees have been moved to the ranch, and they made themselves at home by swarming throughout the stalls nearest their (not-so-close) hives. The horses had to be moved to some vacant stalls across the ranch.

Today, I cleaned out the three stalls my charges were in last week, then started the dirty work in the "new" location. Apparently, whoever was using this area last didn't believe in mucking out. After seven very large wheelbarrow loads of manure from two of the stalls, and an hour spent all totaled, it was time for me to call it a day. Children waiting, other obligations, and the pile's not going anywhere. Ah...a deed for another day.

Worth it?
Honestly, I wish I were still riding in trade. But I'm glad to be doing something helpful around the place while the girls enjoy their rides and lessons. And today's clean out REALLY made a difference. Can't wait to see it all completed!

Photo courtesy Ed Mitchell under Creative Commons License.