We did it! This 45 year old (today!), out of shape, beatup body woman that I am (but an improving on!), got on MY horse yesterday! We groomed the beautiful boy, saddled him up (western), then my trainer lunged him, then my DH got on him, my 10 year old got on him, and I swallowed hard, got my helmet on and RODE my HORSE!!!
He's a VERY responsive, well trained cow pony of a quarter horse. He was SO easy to ride (WELL, ok, he was a bit calmer after all the exercise before I got on, but we'll get there...as my conifidence improves). He neck reins like a dream, he backs so easily, he "whoa-s" with a voice command, OMG, I can't believe it.
He's got an old soft tissue injury on one knee that doesn't affect how he goes, but just looks ugly. It was really bad when he first arrived at the ranch, but we've been treating it, and it's improved SO much. Come to find out, he's been stalled in a barn, with no access to the outdoors and with manure up to his ankles, for weeks and he's SO glad to be outside, he can't hardly stand it!!!
I got to groom him, and he was SUCH a good boy for that whole thing, (except the rear feet, but we'll get there too!), and then I treated his knee and massaged it and he stood like a statute and closed his eyes and licked and chewed and relaxed like you can't believe! Then my trainer took him for a hosing down, and guess what?..he's NEW to the idea...he didn't like it much, but Mr. Trainer went slow, and he finally relaxed into it, and learned that hose water wasn't trying to kill him, and then he rolled in the dust and was SO happy!!
Today, for my birthday present (!) I get to go to the ranch and help castrate him. *sigh*...I'm in Love, and it felt SO good to be up on him. I didn't fall off, I didn't die of fear, and he doesn't hate me for being such a green rider!!!!!!!
The Blessed Fiddy, Patroness Saint of the Disorganized LC in Sunny So Cal Personality Development Specialist (Full-Time Mom!)