It's been so long since my last blog post, I almost can't believe I'm logged back in with something to say!
Since the last time I wrote, much has changed. Shortly after my last post was published, I discovered that I was pregnant. Now I have a beautiful toddler who... guess what? ...is horse-crazy. Things really couldn't be better.
Before now, though, it's been a very off-and-on equine journey these past three years. I didn't ride at all for the year after my daughter was born-- a c-section scar with a few minor (yet painful) complications prevented me from having any desire to put on jeans or tight-fitting pants of any kind. Then, after I got used to that idea, I was afraid to put on my breeches for fear that my body had changed too much for them to fit any more. Last summer, I finally got brave enough to pull on the ole breeches and-- hey hey! --they fit just fine.
I took a few good rides on Thunder, but the excuses just kept coming. It was too hot. Too cold. Looked like rain. I had too much work to do. I can't leave the kiddo. I didn't have time to drive all the way out to the barn, brush, tack, ride, brush, put away and drive all the way home. You guys know how it is. Sometimes, all you have excuses. Until the day they finally run out.
Luckily for me (and Thunder, although maybe he won't admit it), the excuses finally stopped this summer while walking through a nearby amusement park with my sister and my daughter. We came around the corner to where there is a petting zoo and BAM! new for this year are $5 Pony Rides. My kid proceeds to point with such a look of joy and excitement (while also somehow sensing that is bad form to shriek and make sudden movements around horses-- she's a wonder)... how could I keep walking by? So I give the lady $5 and we embark on Baby's First Pony Ride. She LOVES it. She talks about her pony, Goldie, for days. We take her back. She rides Duchess. Few weeks later, she rides Danger, too. We go to a charity event and she rides Cobalt. We go to a festival with $4 Pony Rides (a steal, no?). She rides Daisy. We go to another festival with FREE (can ya believe it?!) Pony Rides. She rides Sparky, Daisy (same Daisy who had been $4 two weeks prior) and I dunno, somebody else who's name she can probably remember but I'm just spent. She goes back to the amusement park and rides Koda for $5.
Baby's First Pony Ride
I realize my toddler has spent more time in the saddle this summer than I have in years. I get jealous (in that you're-so-happy-for-someone-but-why-can't-it-also-be-you way)! I realize that...
If I got my butt back into the saddle and we brought the kiddo to the barn... I could ride, and then she could ride, too! For FREE (because borrowing a horse is a beautiful, beautiful thing)!!!!
So I buy her a toddler-size helmet because EVERY RIDE EVERY TIME is something that is important to me despite the several helmetless pony rides she had over the summer (nobody is perfect).
She's going to learn Every Ride, Every Time.
My friend and I take her out to the barn, and the kid sleeps in the car with the air on and my friend sitting next to her while I ride Thunder for like 5 seconds but ermagerd my legs will fall off. We wake up Kiddo and put on her helmet and put her in the saddle, showing her how to hold the grab strap at the pommel, then walk around the arena for a few laps with my heart so full as I lead and my kid so smiley (and my friend so uber vigilant as she has lots of experience side walking during equine-assisted activity and therapy sessions). Life is Good.
I joined a local just-for-fun riding "club" and went to a meeting two days later, where I got to ride Caymus who is very quiet and well-trained, used as a therapy horse and perfect for those "I don't know if I can do this" nerves. We met with some seriously great success, in my opinion. By this, I mean I didn't fall off and I actually rode all the gaits and even did some dressage and I didn't feel like a complete fool. My legs almost fell off again, but after a break (and some stretching and massage) I even got back on and rode some more.
Me and Caymus
Just like that, I was hooked again.
I went back out and rode Thunder again. I took a few more risks, riding him more forward at the trot and even cantering some. We do lateral work and dressage (a little. We're both out of shape). I start looking into small schooling shows locally (not quite ready for that, but ready to look, anyway). I start getting ideas. Hopes. Goals.
I decide I really want to pursue some baby-level dressage testing some day with him.
- Have to change his bit because his copper roller snaffle bit has too many moving parts to be allowed in a test.
- Buy an El Cheapo plain snaffle to get by until we get a nicer one.
- Shine up his bridle and put on the new bit.
- The heavens open, an angel chorus sings, and I have an absolutely fantastic ride on my Sweet, Sweet Baboo Named Thunder Who I Love I Love And I Don't Care Who Knows It.
- A teeny little girl's voice asks, "Mommy, can I ride Thunder? I have my helmet."
- My heart splodes.
- Mommy (leading) and Daddy (sidewalking) take our lil Peanut for another pony ride on [see above mentioned horse whose name I doodle in hearts across all of my dreams, hopes and prayers]. I teach her to say, "Walk on" and "Whoa" and Thunder works on ground manners and transitions while my heart is continually gushing love goo everywhere.
I teach Daddy and Kiddo a little about grooming as we pack up to head home... and I just feel so fulfilled. Brimming. So close to my family and my (well sorta, you know how it is) horse and so very, very lucky to have these times together. It's never been a better time to get Back in the Saddle.
