United We Grow, Divided We Slow (A News Peg Humor Essay)

There it is again. There’s that phrase I am so unimaginably tired of hearing! “She’s a horse girl…” Yeah, yeah, yeah. What exactly is a horse girl anyway? They say it with such a negative connotation.

Okay, fine. I know. A horse girl is every boy’s worst nightmare. She walks with unmistakable confidence, talks in an educated (yet still practical) manner, and she draws in the opposite sex with her barn glamour. What she forgets to say is that she is neurotic, emotional, and should go to therapy for an expensive and unhealthy obsession with the equine species.

Sure, I know I’m technically a horse girl, but I certainly wouldn’t categorize myself with the rest of them.

Yep. I said it. I did what no horse girl should do, but every single one does. I drew a line. I separated myself from the rest. It’s hard not to do when you see the insanity in everyone else, but the truth is, we’re all nuts.

Horse girl hate goes much deeper than just mental instability. Of course, we’re all in denial about our craziness, but that’s not what is really doing the damage.

I ride western. She rides hunter. It’s a simple equation really… me plus she does not equal peace. She hates me; therefore, I must hate her. But don’t think I’m pushing blame. I don’t much like her attitude, so why would she like mine?

The horse industry today is fraught with boundaries and dividing lines. These thick barriers are not only separating the different styles of riding, they are tearing away chunks and weakening the entire industry.

Western blames hunter. Hunter blames western. One thing horse girls are masters at is pointing fingers. I would like to brush off the guilt and put it on someone else’s shoulders, but I know the truth: We’re doing it to ourselves.

This whole concept of division slowing progress really isn’t that big of an epiphany, nor is it unique to horse girls. It’s everywhere today. America is so pressed for time it is relying on public sites to keep in touch with old friends and watching reality TV to feel like crazy life is acceptable and normal.

Enter world dominator: FACEBOOK.

Hi. My name is Kelsey Pecsek, and I’m a Facebook-aholic.

Facebook is like a horse girl’s personal brand of cocaine. There is nothing more adrenaline rushing than a place where I can: post pictures of my ponies, stalk famous trainers like they’re my personal friends and leave obnoxious, hurtful comments on another horse girl’s profile because she didn’t “like button” my pictures.

People may think this sounds absurd and unbelievably immature. It is. But the ironic thing is that those are the people who do it themselves. The news is full of cyber-bullying suicide stories. Just because horse girls take it a step farther with horse topics doesn’t make the actions of the general public moot.

There are folks everywhere ripping society to shreds one Facebook post, one Tweet, and one blog post at a time. More now than ever, people know exactly what their acquaintances are doing, yet they know next to nothing about the actual person. Citizens are more concerned about Lindsey’s Tweets and the Kardashian’s reality show than they are with the economy or planet or voting (the political kind, not People’s Choice Awards). And the worst part is they don’t care and refuse to pull themselves away.

Communication nationwide is becoming passive and that is deconstructing the values for which America was founded. It is far too easy to ignore someone, without feeling guilty, online and being hurtful over the Internet doesn’t force one into responsibility until there are legal repercussions for irreversible harm.

So here’s the deal. I’m a horse girl. I’m not necessarily proud of it, but I am what I am. I try to stay conscious of what I am to avoid the denial so many of my friends are stuck in. I can’t change how I act if I ignore my faults.

The good news is I deactivated my Facebook for almost a month to disconnect myself, ironically in an attempt to reconnect with people.
The bad news is… I hated it. Oh well.

Kelsey Pecsek – just finished an essay 4 class, taking the pups to Pandapas, then off to the barn. Txt if u need me.

Scavenger Hunt Around Campus

Although it has little to do with the wonderful world of ponies...

In my Photojournalism class today, we were required to hunt around campus for different concepts. We also had certain requirements for the camera to adjust our aperture, ISO, and shutter speed for each different concept.

Here is a collection of my rushed scavenger hunt photos:

Scavenger Hunt

Click on the image to visit the album!

A Solid Mind and Kind Eye

To continue my dive into the world of the good 'ol stock horse, I want to bring attention to something that makes the foundation breeds shine.

This photo was obtained legally on Stock Xchange.

While the stocky legs are important, good legs are nothing without the mind to control them.  A treasured trait of these animals is their solid mind, accompanied with their soft, kind eyes.

I know there are horses in this breed, like any other, that don't fit the bill.  But everyone knows the old cliche... The exception makes the rule.

Thanks to my time at Virginia Tech and general experience in the horse world, I have encountered many different breeds.  Quarter horses, Paints, and other stock horse breeds are some of the most level headed animals around.  The soft eyes on either side of their bold, yet refined head provides a quality image.  But the image isn't simply a pretty picture, it is the trademark of a willing creature who wants nothing more than to please.

The smart cowboys who mount the best of the stock horses know that their job is to communicate.  With a horse like the average stock horse... when there is a break in communication, it is typically the rider's fault.  A good rider not only knows this deep down, he admits it to his horse.

Somethin' to be said... For those stocky legs

While I was raised a die-hard western fanatic, I am trying to learn about open-mindedness in the horse world. This is one of the reasons I submerse myself in equine classes at Virginia Tech.

In my studies, I can honestly say I have learned a lot about different disciplines, and even more about different breeds. While my passion for western culture and traditions will never fade, I admit there is more value in those other disciplines that I knew before.

This photo was obtained legally through Stock Xchange.

One thing has stayed concrete in my mind... Stock horses are the best.

Sure that may sound a little bias, but as with all good bias arguments, I have knowledge to back it all up. My next few posts will cover some of the scientific and biological reasons why I feel so strongly.

Most importantly, in my opinion, is that there is something to be said for those stocky legs that are traditional on stock horses. While other breeds continue to prosper, they breed winners together with little thought or care for defect. If a Thoroughbred wins his races, it doesn't matter how crooked his legs are, he will have babies... probably hundreds of them.

Unfortunately, racetrack life is not held in good light with many. This is in many ways a result of how quickly the legs break down on these horses. After all, no leg = no horse... right?

The stock horse industry prides itself in developing bloodlines and able-bodies. These horses are bred for sports across the board, but no matter what, the good ones are there to work and hold up over time.

I know some crooked-legged stock horses are bred because of their talents, but those horses have to earn their stripes. They work hard at what they do, usually for a long time. If their legs aren't straight, they still have to have the bone mass to endure.

So the moral for today is... there IS something to be said for those stocky legs...

Montgomery County Animal Shelter

Dog Pound Story from David Goldberg on Vimeo.

This video was created as a group project to bring attention to the animal population in Montgomery County.

A Moment of Respect

I would like to take a moment today (now that all the fuss has calmed down) to pay respect to Zenyatta. Finishing her racing career with a phenominal record of 19-1. Zenyatta, you've left a legacy.

Thank you "To The Wire, LTD" for use of the image.

An Interview with Reining Breeder & Trainer, Steve Worman

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In this podcast, I interview reining horse breeder and trainer, Steve Worman, at his farm.

Worman explains a few secrets to the trade about what kinds of reining horses make the best athletes. In addition, he looks back on his career in reining and some of the great horses he has owned.

A special thanks to Bert Jerred for his song In the Name of Love. This song was obtained legally on Jamendo.