But that’s OK. The water’s nice in the deep end … Dive in!

Admit it. Horse people have a sense of humor that is best described as, well, warped.

Case in point: I recently received an e-mail from a co-worker, who had found some lyrics on an online forum. Sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” it was an ode to sheath-cleaning. Another one – on the same topic – is sung to the tune of “Hello Mother, Hello Father.” They’re maybe a bit too descriptive to recite here, but they left me rolling on the floor laughing.

So imagine the chuckle I got upon seeing the “Time to go to the barn” clock. It was conceived by Gina Keesling, a horsewoman who owns Farriers’ Greeting Cards and HoofPrints.com, where she offers a heaping helping of fun gifts. The art is by Lesley Bruce, and really, it’s just too good to keep to myself. (Hint: To find the clock on Gina’s Web site, click the “horse manure” link. Seriously. She obviously has the horse-person sense of humor!)

The clock’s centerpiece is a horse that is perpetually eating and pooping (like most of them!) and an owner/servant who is forever scooping. (She’s animated, so it’s pretty entertaining! Click on the clock to see her move.)

In case you can’t see the smaller drawings, there’s one (at 1 o’clock) of a horse standing firmly on the water hose while the owner stares the hose in the face, wondering why it isn’t on. (You know what’s going to happen next, as soon as the horse lifts his foot.)

This too-funny image by Lesley Bruce marks 12 o'clock on the clock.

Another one has the harried horse owner trecking through mud, only to step out of one of her mud boots. Ooh honey, I’ve been there! What’s worse is when you lose your balance enough that you have to put your stocking foot down – splat in the middle of the mud, snow – or worse.

Actually, I’ve “been there” on quite a lot of the scenarios on the clock – the stomped foot, the overturned wheelbarrow, the bale of hay that seems like it weighs 200 pounds. Maybe that’s why it’s so darned funny. If this is your life, you pretty much have to laugh about it.

And in case you’re wondering about the songs … yes, I do own a gelding.

Happy riding!
Holly Clanahan
Editor, America’s Horse magazine

Don’t miss the fun, educational and heart-warming stories in the print version of America’s Horse! It goes to all members of the American Quarter Horse Association, and it’ll also keep you in the loop on Association news. We want you to belong!