Doesn’t it stink when you find yourself saying the things to your children you swore as a child you would never say to your children? Last night my husband said to my son, “I walked to school 12 city blocks when I was your age!” I’m no better. When they’ve complained about having to get up early and do chores I chime in with, “When I was your age I was out the door at 6a.m. feeding the horses and mucking stalls!”

Ahhhh. . . .

. . . and I loved it. My husband and I represent two different worlds. I grew up two miles from Natural Bridge, and he grew up a few miles from Yankee Stadium. Coming back to Virginia has given me a chance to share a bit of my childhood with my husband and my children. Horses however, remain elusive for us, but maybe not for long. I have friends that ride, and supplement their habit by boarding horses for others. One of my friends rescues horses just because she likes to look at them—she doesn’t ride anymore. Another friend does dressage and trains horses and riders professionally.

If you’re a horse person missing the smell of sweaty tack, the wind in your hair and a soft muzzle eating an apple out of your hand, come on down to SWVA. You’ll be in good company. Travel down I-81 and you’ll see for yourself the horse farms already here, but why not start your own? Throughout SWVA there are farms and acreage to be built on just waiting for you and your four legged friends. Virginia has favorable horse laws, affordable land, and experienced large animal vets. Want to come down and have a horsey vacation just to whet your appetite? Try Hungry Horse East, an Equestrian Campground near Galax. If you’re looking to do dressage, check out the Southwest Virginia Dressage Association.

Come on down!

- Lucinda McDermott Piro