Another "hot" bucket list item was learning to horseback ride. My family actually had a couple of horses when I was under 12, but I must have seen one or two siblings get bucked off so I've had a fear of horses for over 50 years. I needed to push past the fear and take lessons because another item on my bucket list is taking a dude ranch vacation which would include horseback riding on the open range. Yup, I wanna be a cowgirl. Yeehaw!!! The dude ranch vacation hasn't been planned yet, but horseback riding ... just got started today! Picture this ... me, horseback riding, with my Glock strapped to my hip (scary, huh?)!!
When I found a deal on Groupon for three horseback riding lessons at Fitzgerald Horses in Gardnerville I decided it was time to take the plunge and purchased the deal. It took me a few months, but I finally had my first lesson today and guess what ... very little fear! Yes, I'm still afraid of getting bucked off a horse, but that was the sum total of my fears today.
Gary came with me to photograph the experience for this blog ... isn't he great?
Here's a photo of your typical barn cat, queen of her universe, perched on a hay stack, surveying her sovereign estate and waiting patiently for a brave, misguided mouse to scurry across the corral. Poor mouse might make a dainty, tasty morsel for that fat cat! But let's face it, that's her job--keeping the corral mouse-free.
I started my orientation by Bridgette asking me to hold the rope while she put the reins and bit onto my ride today, Durango. She told me Durango likes to smell your hair and sho-nuff, Durango started to sniff me and my hair. I just stood there and let him have at it and worked on not getting nervous about having such a huge animal standing next to me.
Bridgette also told me that Durango is a "lazy horse" so I wouldn't have to worry about him doing anything crazy which did make me feel better. One thing I didn't want to do today (or any day for that matter) was ride a buckin' bronco.
After she finished bridling Durango, I climbed up the handy-dandy steps to mount the stately steed. I was just a bit nervous, but Bridgette did a great job explaining how to sit in the saddle and hold the reins properly. There's actually an art to saddle sitting and how your legs are in the stirrups. Who knew?
We started off at a nice slow stride with Bridgette providing ongoing instructions while she held onto the bridle as we ambled around the arena.
Eventually, she moved to the side of the arena and let me and Durango have a go at it on our own. It really was so much fun. I loved riding Durango at this nice gentle pace. In the first picture below, I'm working at turning Durango.
Look at this perfect equestrian posture!
Here, Bridgette has me standing up in the stirrups to get my thighs to grip the sides of the saddle while I get my heels down and toes up in the stirrups. I'm actually just trying to get up so I'm leaning forward too much. It is very important to have your thighs gripping the sides of saddle. This becomes "critical" when you start trotting ... trust me on this one if you want to stay in the saddle.
I guess I must have been doing okay because Bridgette then asked me if I wanted to trot. "Trot?" I said nervously. Not sure I'm really ready for trotting, but if she thinks so, why not? Well, I do have a long list of reasons why not, but I'm going for it anyway.
For trotting, Bridgette secured a lead to Durango and I coaxed him to the center of the arena. He did NOT go willingly; I really had to work him to get him there. Remember, he's a lazy horse and he knew he was going to have to "work" once he got to the center of the arena.
My first trot almost had me paralyzed in fear! I grabbed the pommel and wouldn't let go and could barely pull back on the reins to slow him down because of my death grip on the pommel!! When we finally got Durango to a stop, I said, "Okay, that was not as fun as the leisurely strolls were." I took a breather, Bridgette gave me more instruction, and then I said, "Let's try that again." We did and I got more comfortable each time we did it, but it is a lot of work. You're using your whole core when you're horseback riding. And now, your butt and the saddle are slapping one another as you bounce up and down. It's important to get your body and the horse into a rhythm. You can trust me on this one, too.
Here are some photos of me trotting on Durango.
All in all, it was a successful first horseback riding lesson. Bridgette was an excellent, patient instructor and I can't wait to go again. Unfortunately, I'll only be able to fit in one last lesson before we leave for Colorado, but at least I feel more confident and less fearful.
During the training, Bridgette first taught me to ride at a leisurely pace while learning how to turn the horse. So we practiced wide open arena turns and then tight turns. Then we practiced backing up, which isn't very easy because horses do NOT like to back up so I really had to work at this. Then we went on to trotting. We probably did short trotting turns about 20 times. After trotting, Bridgette set up cones for Durango and me to practice slalom turns because turning a horse requires pulling the reins the direction you want to head and then pressing your opposite leg against the horse's side while gripping the saddle with your thighs! I found out my left leg is very weak compared to my right leg. You also have to look in the direction you want to head. There's so much to think about.
We ended our session with a few leisurely laps (boosting my confidence) and then I dismounted without using the steps. I was a bit hesitant, but had a successful dismount so I think I'll be more confident next time.
Here I am giving Durango some well-deserved love for giving me such a great, easy ride and not bucking the system too much. I even gave him a few treats for treating me so well.
Loved this lesson from Bridgette. Loved horseback riding. And can't wait to get to Colorado where Gary can take some lessons and we can go riding in the local mountains. He said he's ready and I know I'm ready. So cool!
Psalms 20:7 // Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.
Proverbs 21:31 // The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory belongs to the LORD.
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