Barn rats. They were once a staple of American childhood. Every kid was one or knew one, and they could be found at every barn across the country. They were dirty, greasy, and always up to no good – but they were also a lot of fun.
Times have changed, however, and barn rats are now a dying breed. In this blog post, we will look at what a barn rat is, what makes them who they are, why they are disappearing, and how you can spot one if you happen to come across one.
So what is a barn rat?
Simply put, a barn rat is a kid who spends more time around horses and at the barn than at home. These kids are usually from families with some connection to the horse world, whether by owning their own horse or working at a barn. However, some could become barn rats out of curiosity and passion despite not having ties with the horses. They are often seen as troublemakers, but they are also the kids who always seem to have the most fun.
The barn rat era is slowly coming to an end as the number of kids interested in spending time around horses dwindles. It’s a shame because these kids often grew up to be some of the best horsemen and women. They were a dying breed, but hopefully, with this article, we can shed some light on why they are disappearing.
Why Are Barn Rats A Dying Breed?
While these kids were common, and you’d find one in any barn, any day in the past, it’s hard to come across kids with that hardy and carefree today. Sure, there are still kids interested in horse riding, but they only show up for their riding lessons and disappear. The barn rat is a dying breed for several reasons. One reason is that horse ownership has become increasingly expensive, making it difficult for families to afford their own horses, let alone keep them at a barn.
The number of people working in the equine industry has also decreased, meaning kids have fewer opportunities to become barn rats. You could find a horse trainer or a local barn that was easily accessible in the past, but much has changed. The sector has gotten more professional, and the few remaining places prefer keeping the kids out of the barns. You can’t blame them for fear of the risk of injury to an uninsured and unauthorized person in the horse stalls.
The method of parenting has also changed with the new age. Unlike when parents would be comfortable with their kids wandering off on their own, parents today have resorted to helicopter parenting to protect their kids. It’s understandable with the current way of life and the kind of cases people hear broadcasted on the internet and news houses. Parents are also more worried about the risk of an accident and deem the activity too high for their children.
With the spots the barn rat can spend their time spread out far and wide, it’d be upon their parents to drive them to and from the stables. Unfortunately, the current work-life schedule doesn’t allow most people a lot of free time. This makes it impossible to take their kids horse riding even when there’s great weather. Kids today are busier than in the past.
Children have to excel in multiple areas to have a shot at making themselves a life once they are adults. Because of this dynamic, kids often juggle school events, sports, and hobbies. Where will they get time to full around in the barn? And finally, the rise of digital technology and social media has led to kids spending more time indoors and on their screens than ever before – something that barn rats would never dream of doing.
How to preserve the Barn Rat
For one, parents could give their kids a bit of room instead of constant helicopter parenting. It’s important to let them mess things up and not be in a rush to help them fix it to help them learn.
Grown-up and former barn rats could also help rear the next generation by being active in the stables.
The kids will mirror whatever they see their parents doing. For instance, you can watch the vet and the farrier together and ask questions to help the young barn rat gain some knowledge.
How Can You Spot A Barn Rat?
As barn rats become rare, here are several ways to spot the remaining few.
Clothing
Barn rats are usually covered in hay, dirt, and horsehair. You’ll find them wearing their breeches and boots even when they’re not working with the horses. The odd thing about barn rats is that they’ll go for lunch at a restaurant in their gear, unlike other horse lovers who will change clothes after the session.
Happy Go Lucky Attitude
While some people might see napping in the horse stalls as extreme, it’s second nature to barn rats. They are always happy to lay down on the shavings without complaints to spend time bonding with a horse. Some improvise, use coolers as blankets, and are at peacebuilding forts out of hay bales at the barn. A barn rat is simply immune to any irritation common to other people, including having hay stuck up their pants.
Always Jumping Over Things
Kid jumping was always a thing with barn rats in the past. They often participated in races and competitions to see who could jump the highest over a gate or a set of barrels. It was one way they had fun and helped with their horse riding skills. Some will still be unable to fight the urge to jump over things once they pass their barn rat phase to please their inner pony kid persona.
Can Spot A Horse From A Mile Away
From far away, a barn rat can identify any horse by its conformation, gait, and colour. This is one skill that sets them apart from others who love horses but don’t spend as much time around them.
They can also tell if a horse is pregnant just by looking at it and often know the birthdate of most foals in their area. It’s like they have a sixth sense when it comes to horses.
Always Bathing the Horse
Barn rats will spend hours bathing their horses, ensuring they smell great every time, even though they’ll get dirty the second they roll in their stall. They are always dedicated to bathing the horse because it’s essential to keep the horse clean, and the exercise helps a barn rat show their affection and dedication to their horse.
Their Work Ethic
Learning through experience, the kids understand that hard work is everything in the horse community. They’ll do everything, from mucking stalls to seeing their favourite horse event to riding without stirrups. They understand that the hard work pays off, not necessarily financially, but in the experience, they gain with time.
They Love Bareback Riding
Former and current barn rats are always easy to notice because of their easy bareback riding on the horses. Back in the day, the kids even had bareback puissance competitions to see who had the best form. Even after leaving the barn life, barn rats can still be seen walking horses bareback in the fields.
Horses
You’re more likely to find a barn rat with a horse than without one. If they don’t own a horse, a barn rat will lease one, work at a barn, or volunteer at a therapeutic riding center. They cannot live without horses in their lives.
The Barn Rat Community
Although they’re not as common as they used to be, barn rats still stick together. You can find them at horse shows, on social media platforms dedicated to horse lovers, and even in real life. They might be hard to spot, but once you find one, you’ll notice there are many more just like them.