Wow, Spring is in the air and the horse I lease is feeling frisky. He is an older horse- 24 year old horse grulla quarter horse that has been ridden throughout the winter in the indoor arena. Last fall I could barely get the ol boy into a trot without asking and asking- he is able and fit- but was a bit lazy- unless he is heading back to the barn after a longer ride.
Today, I saddled him up with my new saddle- a Cashel saddle- which is a treeless saddle made from foam and is supposed to be great for my back- I herniated a disc at the beginning of December. Right out of the driveway, Bo wanted to trot- and I slowed him down- as I did not want the jarring of my back. He walked along well for a bit- then ducked into the ditch- I turned him around in the field and went to point him in the right direction- and he was having none of it- he turned back towards home- trotting- so I am trying to slow him- so he goes into a canter throwing his head up and down. So of course, I lose my balance since it is not as secure a saddle like a typical western saddle. I knew I was coming off- so I bailed off and landed on my shoulder (did not want to hit my lower back/butt). And the little bugger took off without me. After the agonizing 5 seconds of not being able to breathe- was finally able to gasp in a breathe. But I sure got the wind knocked out of me- I forgot how scary that was- it has been at least 20 years since having the wind knocked out of me like that. Thankfully I had my helmet on and I am sure I will be sore tomorrow- but other than that I should be fine.
And thankfully I did not fall on my cell phone-so I was able to call right away and let them know I was OK and walking back- since he was back at the barn before I was. We took him into the arena (which he seems to think is so, so boring usually) and the owner of the barn rode him, and then I rode him to not end on a bad note.
This from the same horse that last Fall during lessons- to get him to trot in the arena I thought my thigh muscles were going to give out before I could consistently get him to get him to trot and keep trotting.
So I must really have horse fever if I am still not willing to stop riding after being ungracefully unmounted- but it will be with a regular saddle with a tree for the next rides that is for sure! And the weird thing is- I am 35 years old- old enough that I could have kids of my own- but I can’t tell MY mom that I got dumped off as she will freak out, and I could not tell her when I got my foot stepped on and broke some toes- cause that would have freaked her out too. Am I the only adult that cannot tell her Mom stuff like this??? My Mom would give me a big long lecture and I would never even be able to mention horses to her again. She did not even like that I was taking lessons and this was before the herniated disc. Maybe Mom’s always think your are a kid no matter how old you are???
And ironically Bo is the slowest, mellowest horse in the barn- just not today.
Julie