This continues a series of guest columns on how technology is reshaping hobbies and passions – basket weaving, rugby – whatever.
This time it is Mark Galloway who I first met when he was at Lawson Software. He is now President of oppSource with products aimed at tech salesforces. Here he writes about his horse, Ransom pictured with him and his son, Ben
“It was an interesting challenge that Vinnie posed about writing a blog post on how technology has changed our family’s equestrian hobby.
We live in Minnesota where the summers are short and the winters are long, which means that you tend to spend a lot of time indoors, relatively speaking. During those times in between, my wife and me thoroughly enjoy being around our horse, Ransom. He is a Quarter Horse, about 13 years old, well mannered and is nicknamed “Hansom Ransom” by other patrons at the stable where we board him.
As a kid, I grew up around horses and frankly, as a teenager, I couldn’t wait to get away from the farm community and move to the big city. Now that I’ve lived in the “burbs” for the better part of 20 years, I really enjoy the times that I can get away to the stables and be “in the country” for a few hours each week.
You are probably wondering where horses and technology come into play, right? Ok, stay with me, as you will soon see. Like many who have invested their careers in technology, most of my 23 years post-college have been invested in the high-tech industry in one way or another. As a result, I have a hard time shutting off my brain and even more annoying to my wife, my computer. The horse you see is a great escape from technology and provides an opportunity to step back in time to a much simpler setting. That’s right, you read correctly. The horse is my escape from technology. I am sorry to say this, but my hobby doesn’t include the use of technology. Sorry Vinnie. I know that may not have been what you expected to hear, but it is the truth. My hobby hasn’t been affected by information technology. In fact, technology and its pervasive presence in my life have driven me to a hobby that has nothing to do with technology.
There is nothing like saddling up the horse and going for a long ride (and walk) into the wide-open country. No computer, iPhone on vibrate or airplane mode and just taking in all the scents, scenes, and wonders of the countryside. We will often load Ransom up in the horse trailer and take him to a habitat park where horses are allowed. One of my favorite parks has over 500 acres of woods, lakes, streams and trails. On the few hot summer days we have in Minnesota, Ransom likes to walk into the edge of the lake and splash water all over himself and whoever is riding him. It is quite refreshing and certainly a bit exciting trying to keep him from wanting to lie down or venture out in deep water for a full-blown swim.
Besides just the leisurely riding that we do with Ransom, my daughter Meghan (see photo below) has competed with Ransom for the past five years in the local county 4-H club. She has done a fantastic job of working to improve his Western Pleasure and English skills. The horse seems to always enjoy competing and always tries to please.
Through this hobby, I have learned that my life has become pretty congested with technology. It is healthy to step back and appreciate life at its simplest. I would certainly encourage anyone with similar technology addictions to try and find a hobby that is void of a technology epicenter.
Of course with all of that said, I do appreciate the GPS app on my iPhone when we are out on the trails. There, does that count as having technology that changed my hobby? :)”
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