We Are Fam-i-ly...

Sister Sledge. Anyone out there remember them? (If you are under 50, you probably have no clue...) It was the anthem of the 70's (well, plus Y-M-C-A..)

We are family...
I got all my sisters with me...

I have three sisters and two brothers. Six of us in total plus Mom and Dad. Which I thought was a large family until I moved to Kentucky and kept meeting people with 10 and 11 siblings. Lordy, poor Mom!

I don't get along with all of my sisters and brothers all of the time. One or two I could meet at a bar after work and talk with into the wee hours. Some of the others I can't comprehend, wouldn't live their lives they way they do. Some are very religious (part of the family up-bringing, trust me! Church three times a week without fail) and some not so. Some spend money over their heads, others are frugal. Some love to venture to places unknown, others don't like any food other than plain meat and potatoes.

But we are family. We see each other at Christmas, exchange stories, admire each others' kids, and sit at the table together. Underlying all of the differences, we have the same basic values. And we want each other to do well in life and be happy and healthy.

I think that deep down, horse people are the same way. We don't like each other all the time. We think our way of owning or riding or keeping horses is the right way, and can't comprehend another's choices about their horses.

Some ride, some just own and watch. Some like high stepping, some like low down and quiet. Some strive for the perfect tempo and gait in a riding ring, others go straight down the path on a trail. Others drive like hell in a carriage across a field, through water obstacles. And then there are those crazy few who careen around a course of 5 foot jumps at breakneck speed. (Oops, did I say crazy?)

There are other ways we often don't agree. Our politics. Our stories to legislators that focus on our issue to the detriment of others who own horses. Our ideas that if my breed "wins", yours has to "lose". Our idea about funding the horse business which means funding MY part of the horse business, but not yours. Our arrogance that what our association does is more informed, more sophisticated, more valuable than what your association does.

But we are all part of the family. And like me and my siblings, we can put aside our differences and focus on our similar goals. Making Kentucky "horse-friendly" for all - business and pleasure - regardless of economy, politics and personalities.