---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I keep my horses out in the open, but…"
description: "\"I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working the ranches, I had to clean the stalls. It was a horrible job.\" — Sam Shepard"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg"
---

#  I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working…

![“I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working the ranches, I had to clean the stalls. It was a horrible job.” quote by Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg)

> “I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working the ranches, I had to clean the stalls. It was a horrible job.”

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Working with horses outdoors is rewarding, but stall cleaning is unpleasant.

**In simple terms:** Open work is enjoyable; chores are tough.

Key Takeaway

Embrace the good, manage the bad.

Themes

work nature labor

Mood

candid humorous

Type

personal reflective

When to use this quote

- farm life
- animal care
- daily chores

Key Concepts

ranching personal insight

Questions to Reflect On

- What chores do you find most challenging?
- How do you find meaning in tough tasks?

A Different Perspective

Physical labor can be grueling despite love for the outdoors.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/)

## Related quotes

> [We had to clean stalls and fix fences and that stuff. I think it helped teach us about responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-seager/we-had-to-clean-stalls-and-fix-fences-and-that-stuff-i-think-it/)

[Corey Seager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-seager/)

> [After the falling out with my father, I worked on a couple of ranches - thoroughbred layup farms, actually - out toward Chino, California.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/after-the-falling-out-with-my-father-i-worked-on-a-couple-of-ranches/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [The main thing that I learned from my horrible job experiences was how horrible they were.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-carolla/the-main-thing-that-i-learned-from-my-horrible-job-experiences-was/)

[Adam Carolla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-carolla/)

> [The problem today is that there are no deserts, only dude ranches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/the-problem-today-is-that-there-are-no-deserts-only-dude-ranches/)

[Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/)

> [I know a lot of cowboys and I've done a little work on ranches with cattle, and those people become your friends, and keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-lee-jones/i-know-a-lot-of-cowboys-and-i-ve-done-a-little-work-on-ranches-with/)

[Tommy Lee Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-lee-jones/)

> [When I was younger, my family would go camping and fishing on our ranches. My dad loves being around all kinds of animals. He's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/when-i-was-younger-my-family-would-go-camping-and-fishing-on-our/)

[Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/)

> [We're doing a horrible job, and by "we" I mean conservatives, Republicans, free marketers, anyone who believes in liberty is doing a horrible job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-re-doing-a-horrible-job-and-by-we-i-mean-conservatives-republicans/)

[Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/)

> [Secretary Mayorkas's job is to secure the border. Not only is he horrible at his job, he is willfully refusing to do it. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mast/secretary-mayorkas-s-job-is-to-secure-the-border-not-only-is-he/)

[Brian Mast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mast/)

> [I continue to be a photographer; I have enjoyed fishing and hunting with a close friend; and have owned two ranches, first in northern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglass-north/i-continue-to-be-a-photographer-i-have-enjoyed-fishing-and-hunting/)

[Douglass North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglass-north/)

> [The writing is just a boring job. It's just a horrible job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jemaine-clement/the-writing-is-just-a-boring-job-it-s-just-a-horrible-job/)

[Jemaine Clement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jemaine-clement/)

> [“Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/guys-like-us-that-work-on-ranches-are-the-loneliest-guys-in-the-world-2/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/guys-like-us-that-work-on-ranches-are-the-loneliest-guys-in-the-world/)

[John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/)

> [If you had a job, and every day you're going back home and telling all your friends how horrible your job is and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/if-you-had-a-job-and-every-day-you-re-going-back-home-and-telling-all/)

[Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/)

> [“I've been thinking. You'd better be my bridesmaid, since you gave me the idea that led to this whole farce. It's a horrible job,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayne-bauling/i-ve-been-thinking-you-d-better-be-my-bridesmaid-since-you-gave-me/)

Jayne Bauling

> [If you're not willing to work hard, let someone else do it. I'd rather be with someone who does a horrible job, but gives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-smith/if-you-re-not-willing-to-work-hard-let-someone-else-do-it-i-d-rather/)

[Will Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-smith/)

## More by Sam Shepard

> [I guess what I like is mostly country &amp; western or else stuff that has a real blues feel to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-guess-what-i-like-is-mostly-country-western-or-else-stuff-that-has/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [You can write 16 plays and not make as much money as you did doing one movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/you-can-write-16-plays-and-not-make-as-much-money-as-you-did-doing/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [It's funny, in a way the actor is a writer. It's not like the two things are so separate as to be like apples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/it-s-funny-in-a-way-the-actor-is-a-writer-it-s-not-like-the-two/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [Character is an essential tendency. It can be covered up, it can be messed with, it can be screwed around with, but it can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/character-is-an-essential-tendency-it-can-be-covered-up-it-can-be/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [Why would you want to be be counseled in your grief? It's too private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/why-would-you-want-to-be-be-counseled-in-your-grief-it-s-too-private/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [Farm country -- you know, hay, horses, cattle. It's the ideal situation for me. I like the physical endeavors that go with the farm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/farm-country-you-know-hay-horses-cattle-it-s-the-ideal-situation-for/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [I think comedy's harder to pull off on the screen than on the stage, anyway. Tragedy is easier on the screen... oddly enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-think-comedy-s-harder-to-pull-off-on-the-screen-than-on-the-stage/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [“Those are the most monotonous fuckin' crickets I ever heard in my life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/those-are-the-most-monotonous-fuckin-crickets-i-ever-heard-in-my-life/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [All good writing comes out of aloneness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/all-good-writing-comes-out-of-aloneness/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [When I first started in film, I was terrified of the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/when-i-first-started-in-film-i-was-terrified-of-the-camera/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [I'll develop my own image. I'm an original man. A one and only. I just need some help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-ll-develop-my-own-image-i-m-an-original-man-a-one-and-only-i-just/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [When I just sit around my house and work, I can work two, three hours, and then I go off and ride a horse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/when-i-just-sit-around-my-house-and-work-i-can-work-two-three-hours/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [Hollywood is geared toward teenage idiocy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/hollywood-is-geared-toward-teenage-idiocy/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [It's my private life, and it's not up for grabs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/it-s-my-private-life-and-it-s-not-up-for-grabs/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

> [Keep away from fantasy. Shake off the image,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/keep-away-from-fantasy-shake-off-the-image/)

[Sam Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

[Explore all 176 Sam Shepard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/)

## More Horrible quotes

> [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/)

[Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/)

> [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/)

[Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/)

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“The drivers here are horrible. And by horrible, I mean they don't realize I have someplace to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/the-drivers-here-are-horrible-and-by-horrible-i-mean-they-don-t/)

[Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/)

> [Stephanie could see the greed seep into the watery eyes of her father’s other brother, a horrible little man called Fergus, as he nodded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/stephanie-could-see-the-greed-seep-into-the-watery-eyes-of-her-father/)

[Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/)

> [But, outside of being a sweet little girl, she was awfully dumb and capable of doing horrible things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/but-outside-of-being-a-sweet-little-girl-she-was-awfully-dumb-and/)

[Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/)

> [...it isn't foolish or wicked to enjoy. Wickedness is hurting people on purpose. I love what you are and who you are and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/it-isn-t-foolish-or-wicked-to-enjoy-wickedness-is-hurting-people-on/)

[John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/)

> [I'm a horrible dancer, but I wanted to record songs that made me want to dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-lane/i-m-a-horrible-dancer-but-i-wanted-to-record-songs-that-made-me-want/)

[Chris Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-lane/)

> [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/)

[Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/)

> [It's a bit cliche, but you can't go wrong by writing what you know. Even if you're a horrible writer, your own knowledge and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/issa-rae/it-s-a-bit-cliche-but-you-can-t-go-wrong-by-writing-what-you-know/)

[Issa Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/issa-rae/)

> [With every interview you feel like you lose a piece of yourself, and with every bad review you become just that little bit more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-march/with-every-interview-you-feel-like-you-lose-a-piece-of-yourself-and/)

[Jane March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-march/)

> [Teenage girls are extremists who see the world in black-and- white terms, missing shades of gray. Life is either marvelous or notworth living. School…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-pipher/teenage-girls-are-extremists-who-see-the-world-in-black-and-white/)

[Mary Pipher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-pipher/)

> [I want regulation. I want to protect our environment. I want regulations for safety. I want all of the regulations that we need, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-want-regulation-i-want-to-protect-our-environment-i-want/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [I have a horrible sense of direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/i-have-a-horrible-sense-of-direction/)

[Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/)

> [This I say, because God showed me somewhat of his truth, in order that I might know what man is without him; that is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-of-genoa/this-i-say-because-god-showed-me-somewhat-of-his-truth-in-order-that/)

[Catherine of Genoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-of-genoa/)

Browse all 2,129 Horrible quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working the ranches, I had to clean the stalls. It was a horrible job.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Sam Shepard"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-when-i-was-working-the-ranches-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Horrible"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-when-i-was-working-the-ranches-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4a/sam-shepard-2232_horrible_i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-whe_1123586.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I keep my horses out in the open, but when I was working the ranches, I had to clean the stalls. It was a…” — Sam Shepard",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Sam Shepard",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-shepard/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I keep my horses out in...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-when-i-was-working-the-ranches-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-shepard/i-keep-my-horses-out-in-the-open-but-when-i-was-working-the-ranches-i/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
