Thankful for Patient Teachers

Did I mention that I ride horses? Well, at one time I was riding up to four horses per day. I’d work them in arenas and on trail to decompress.  However, about 13 months ago, I took a nasty fall.  Because I’m built like a Weeble (bottom heavy) I found my bottom!  I was also wearing my Troxel helmet. I can’t stress how important it is to wear a helmet regardless of how bombproof  you think your horse is.

I’d been thrown before, but this fall shook my confidence.  After 6 weeks of physical therapy, the bruise, which extended from my hip to mid thigh, and wrapped from my navel to my spine, faded; but the stinging remained.  I took a break. Too long of a break.

I spoke with my pals who ride: Christy, Julie, Emily, Courtney, Liz. They all encouraged me. Julie offered excellent advice: Find a horse you trust and take it slowly.

Even before the fall, I had some issues mounting. I’d been taken off with before ,and I think that’s stuck. Think about it. You’re in this vulnerable position, hovering in mid-air about to make contact with the back of a living, breathing creature with its own instinctive mind that outweighs you a few times over .  Right after you mount it takes a second or two to “find your seat”, that sweet spot where riders feel secure and balanced.

I enlisted Sizzle. Sizzle is a firey 14.2 h Morgan horse who just celebrated his 28th birthday in March.  Don’t let his age fool you; he’s still got game and wants me to tell you that OLD GUYS RULE!!!!

I knew I wanted to comeback in an arena, the most controlled situation in my opinion. It seemed that every date we set for a comeback was thwarted by rain.  For those of you unfamiliar, riding arenas are usually sealed to protect the footing. You have to let them dry out before riding in them or you mess up the footing, and good footing is mission critical! 

Well, two weekends ago Sizzle and I announced our comeback!  I tacked him up using my friend’s dressage saddle and bridle. It was nice to use an appropriately-sized saddle. Sizzle can be a handful at the mounting block as the excitement of carrying a rider and the promise of showing off becomes a reality, but that day he stood patiently. I was hopping on and off the mounting block to get the most comfortable position. When I’d done that, I stood on the top step and started feeling a little woozy. I was about to put myself in that vulnerable position. Sizzle stood.  I took a deep breath and swung my leg over Sizzle’s back. 

We walked around the arena for 15 minutes. Sizzle had much more confidence in my abilities than I had.  He jigged a few steps and even shied at a sound from the neighbor’s yard  toward the end of my ride.  TWERP!  The next weekend, he was also patient and well-mannered.

Was it worth it? You bet!

Will I ride again? Yes! 

Did Sizzle get a pound of carrots for his efforts? YES! 

I’m grateful that our animals are patient, wonderful and forgiving teachers!