I’m pretty certain I have been on a horse as some point in my life but it’s not something I’ve ever felt I wanted to do. Your vivid description doesn’t persuade me otherwise 😂
It is indeed a curious mix of emotions wrapped up in one activity, from frustration and boredom (will this creature ever walk any faster) to amazement (feels like we could trot around like this forever) to panic (Ok, too fast and I’m slipping sideways). It never came easily to me, but I don’t remember it being physically so demanding! I’ve lost the cowboy stance now just in time to go again, if I was having weekly lessons. Luckily I have a reprieve this week because I’m meeting someone in London 🧐
Glad you enjoyed your return visit to horse riding. I don’t ever plan on riding a horse ever again after falling off one in 1983! Three weeks after my fall I was diagnosed with a broken sacrum, but in those three weeks I had travelled several hundred miles to and from St Andrew to get married and then start a new job in Oxfordshire!
I still get pain in my back and legs, with worn facet joints diagnosed in 2000. So even if I hankered after equine pursuits, there are many members of my family and even more friends lined up to stop me!!
As for being scared of doing things, I have a whole bank of them! Trying to finish some projects that have been languishing for months/years as well as start and complete a couple (or more!) projects over the next few weeks. So why I am I knitting watching the Live Aid replay??
All this and trying to run a weekly pop-up café … what soup do I make for this coming week? Do I make scones and/or chocolate cake too??
Think I will knit a few more rows instead…queen of procrastination here! 🙄😏
Yes, that would definitely put a stop to things. I did have a little voice in the back of my head saying 'what if something awful happens and I fall and break my back', something I’d never thought before. I’m not sure what exactly I used to be scared of. This felt like a much more rational fear, which I think is attached to being that much older, feeling physically less capable and more vulnerable. As soon as I saw Trixie, I knew I’d be ok, she was 100% lovely. But I don’t think realistically I’ll be making a habit of it. Legs have only just stopped aching, for a start! Meanwhile, Live Aid? Where did all THOSE years go?!
I think you are very brave going back for more! The things we do for love!
I’ve been on a horse’s back once, bareback, with the horse being led by my brother, gripping the mane for dear life. I managed not to slip off! NEVER AGAIN!!
Wow! Never been bareback, that’s very brave. I did have to do a lot, back in the day, with no stirrups - which is an…adventure. Can’t sit down or cross your legs for a week after doing that!
What happened was, she didn’t want to gallop again! We circled back to the other side of the field, but she wasn’t having any of it, only wanted to gently trot home! And after that, I don’t remember riding again. We moved south, both got different jobs (no more stables) and himself started taking cycling more seriously, so no more ponies.
I've only been on a horse (or was it a pony?) once. When I was in Rangers, I was supposed to go gliding , but it was cancelled due to weather conditions. I had to go horse riding instead. My horse was supposed to be calm, seeing as it was the first time I'd ridden. We came to the top of a stone strewn slope, wherupon my calm horse decided that it would be a good idea to charge down it. I hung on, terrified that he would stumble on one of the boulders and we'd both be flung down the slope. He stopped at the bottom. I vowed I'd never go riding again.
I’m pretty certain I have been on a horse as some point in my life but it’s not something I’ve ever felt I wanted to do. Your vivid description doesn’t persuade me otherwise 😂
I hope your legs have stopped aching!
It is indeed a curious mix of emotions wrapped up in one activity, from frustration and boredom (will this creature ever walk any faster) to amazement (feels like we could trot around like this forever) to panic (Ok, too fast and I’m slipping sideways). It never came easily to me, but I don’t remember it being physically so demanding! I’ve lost the cowboy stance now just in time to go again, if I was having weekly lessons. Luckily I have a reprieve this week because I’m meeting someone in London 🧐
What an entertaining and inspiring post! Bravo Izzy, and thanks for the reminder to consider getting out of your comfort zone from time to time.
Thank you! It's something I try to do - or at least, I don’t run away from things any more. If you don’t try, you don’t know, right?
Glad you enjoyed your return visit to horse riding. I don’t ever plan on riding a horse ever again after falling off one in 1983! Three weeks after my fall I was diagnosed with a broken sacrum, but in those three weeks I had travelled several hundred miles to and from St Andrew to get married and then start a new job in Oxfordshire!
I still get pain in my back and legs, with worn facet joints diagnosed in 2000. So even if I hankered after equine pursuits, there are many members of my family and even more friends lined up to stop me!!
As for being scared of doing things, I have a whole bank of them! Trying to finish some projects that have been languishing for months/years as well as start and complete a couple (or more!) projects over the next few weeks. So why I am I knitting watching the Live Aid replay??
All this and trying to run a weekly pop-up café … what soup do I make for this coming week? Do I make scones and/or chocolate cake too??
Think I will knit a few more rows instead…queen of procrastination here! 🙄😏
Yes, that would definitely put a stop to things. I did have a little voice in the back of my head saying 'what if something awful happens and I fall and break my back', something I’d never thought before. I’m not sure what exactly I used to be scared of. This felt like a much more rational fear, which I think is attached to being that much older, feeling physically less capable and more vulnerable. As soon as I saw Trixie, I knew I’d be ok, she was 100% lovely. But I don’t think realistically I’ll be making a habit of it. Legs have only just stopped aching, for a start! Meanwhile, Live Aid? Where did all THOSE years go?!
Thanks for your reply. Glad you are feeling better today!
Watched some of the Live Aid airing last night…it really can’t be 40 years ago can it?
I made a wrap around dress that day while watching on our little black & white tv.
I think you are very brave going back for more! The things we do for love!
I’ve been on a horse’s back once, bareback, with the horse being led by my brother, gripping the mane for dear life. I managed not to slip off! NEVER AGAIN!!
Wow! Never been bareback, that’s very brave. I did have to do a lot, back in the day, with no stirrups - which is an…adventure. Can’t sit down or cross your legs for a week after doing that!
Such a great story, brilliantly told!
Thanks Mary!
The thing I don’t understand though is Blizzard and you enjoying a flat-out gallop and then ‘that was that’
You leave us wondering why, what happened?
What happened was, she didn’t want to gallop again! We circled back to the other side of the field, but she wasn’t having any of it, only wanted to gently trot home! And after that, I don’t remember riding again. We moved south, both got different jobs (no more stables) and himself started taking cycling more seriously, so no more ponies.
Phew! No accident.
I've only been on a horse (or was it a pony?) once. When I was in Rangers, I was supposed to go gliding , but it was cancelled due to weather conditions. I had to go horse riding instead. My horse was supposed to be calm, seeing as it was the first time I'd ridden. We came to the top of a stone strewn slope, wherupon my calm horse decided that it would be a good idea to charge down it. I hung on, terrified that he would stumble on one of the boulders and we'd both be flung down the slope. He stopped at the bottom. I vowed I'd never go riding again.
Oof, that would’ve been terrifying! Well done for staying on!
Finding it hard to balance? Try being a Libran 😕
Oh! I'd have thought that was part of your skill set ⚖️ ! If it wasn’t obvious I'm a Gemini, constantly being pulled in two directions.