Muddy Fun

Rode after lunch with the kids. Was already muddy ankle-deep when we arrived at our boarding stable. Thank goodness for mud boots. By ride's end an hour later, there was more water than we started. It was fun to take the horses out and have them basically do a lot of water obstacles. Most balked at the puddles.

I was riding Wixie, and she was halfway down a trench when she thought about turning around or jumping out. Fortunately, she just hesitated, then made it through. I am glad I rode her instead of having my youngest ride her because she acted loopy towards the end when I decided to keep her back instead of letting her go with her buddy Quincy.

Raising her head. Prancing. Spooking at sucky-holes. Even bucked once. But I stayed on! And didn't fall into the mud. A good thing, I must say.

My oldest said, "Next time, we shouldn't ride outside when it's muddy. (There's an indoor arena in the stable) But with the sun out, we just couldn't resist!

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We've been riding pretty much weekly through the winter. But now it's time to start thinking of having the kids practice for 4-H.

Risky But Worth It

As I was waiting for a school program, I got talking to a friend and the topic got around to the kids and how busy they were. When I mentioned that my kids ride horses, she said, her daughter has always wanted to learn to ride one.

I told her she should look into it lessons for her daughter. She said, "I told my husband if we could afford it, we should get a horse, but he said it's too risky."

The cost, sure, I could relate to. It is an expensive hobby, owning horses.

As for risk. Sure, there's risk. Three years ago, my daughter, who was ten, got bucked off by her young horse and she had extensive nerve damage. And the other day, I was talking to a woman who was selling off their horses because she "did a Christopher Reeve" and broke her back and neck getting bucked off a horse.

But my daughter is fine today, and probably a stronger person for her experience. She got right back on the saddle when she could and has never looked back. She has learned how to stay on a horse. She has always worn a helmet and we stress safety on a horse all the time. Sometimes, riding a horse that decides to buck can be an adventure.

And what a rush of an adventure it has been.

Kids break bones from jumping off trampolines; heck, even just walking down a curb. To miss out on the joys of riding horses because of the possibility of injury is missing out on a great experience.

Thanks to horses, our family has become closer, we spend a lot more time outdoors, our kids have learned responsibility and have grown in confidence. I have grown as a person and as a mother as I have ridden horses and as I support my kids in 4-H.

I know not everyone has the opportunity to have horses, and I am grateful to have this. But best of all, I am grateful we can let our horse-crazy children live their dream now.

Loping

I actually took a break from writing the other morning and went riding with my husband. Cold, muddy winter morning; thank goodness for an indoor arena where we board. My husband wore his leather hat to tack up which makes me smile coz he looks like a sweet cowboy. (We ride helmets on the horses.)

I rode Quincy (see his photo in right sidebar) and my husband, bless his heart, rode Wixie, who he has been riding a lot lately because she has been acting up.

At first, I just walked Quincy, then I trotted. So far so good. Then it was time to push him a little more. I took a deep breath and kicked him into a lope. He kept trotting, until he finally slowed to a stop.

I really wanted him to go, and yet I didn't want him to. I don't like going fast on horses, on anything. I don't like roller coasters. I'm the merry-go-round type.

But today is a good day to lope because there are no other riders other than my husband. Okay, another try. I kicked him, and he still wouldn't respond. Finally, I dug in with my heels (my son rides him with spurs). Don't give up, my husband said. This time, Quincy raised his head, and then he loped.

It's a rush, to be on the back of a horse that is flying through the air. It is nothing like a merry-go-round ride, but I see why my husband and kids love it. When I stay on, feeling in control, it feels great.

I did it! I did it!