My first riding lesson

Had a great time-will be going back next week for another.  I am learning the English style-it gives you a better work out and that is motivation enough for me....LOL.

The lesson horse and I bonded immediately, after the lesson I brushed him out and played with him a lot, he was really snuggly and wanted hugs and pets and I was happy to oblige.

I rode as a teen quite a bit, but that was a long time ago.  I was surprised to see it is a bit like riding a bike-I was comfortable on the horse and ready to learn what I didn't know-didn't really need to spend time relearning things I already knew, and I was able to draw some posture balance things from Mt. Biking and some animal handling skills from my zoo-so it was really a great time.

I'm not nearly as sore as I thought I'd be (which I think has to do with riding with balance instead of a death grip of the legs....LOL).

I'm still up for riding anytime anyone wants to go-but I think the Draper stables are closed-I've called and driven by there and no one answers or is around. 

 One sad thing-driving through the country I saw a lot of thin horses, and that bothers the crap out of me, but I can't just stay in my house and hide because the world is a cruel place sometimes, and I can't afford to take them all in....

I never would have attempted this as a heavy person-I remember weighing "over the limit" for most stables and that was truly crushing to me-too big to ride a horse!  I wish I could find a part time something at a stable-shoveling poo might get that upper body strength I've always wanted.  I don't really want to groom any more (I've had more careers than Cowboy) but I've thought about being a bather for a groomer-that would get the upper body working too. 

 

Sounds like you had a wonderful time.  Who knows maybe some day we will see you in the Kentucky Derby.  Debra I love to read all your stories about the animals, and all of the things that you do with them.  Lisa

Sounds like you had a great time. I have only been on a horse one time and I was petrified. I vowed never to do it again.
Emily

Oh I used to love riding horses! I havent been on a horse in I know every bit of 20 yrs...but ur posts are showing me how I have missed doing it. This will be something that I will do again real soon, plus introduce it to my kids

LaDetra 

It was at least 20 years for me too.

I'm happy that you're riding again, Debra. :)

Deb,
I think it is great that you are riding once again! That is one of my dreams to go riding again! I have been riding since the 1st grade and it was the most wonderful time of my life! I never understood how something that much fun could be exercise! I used to barrel race and was a rodeo queen one year befor my dad sold my horse.
I too would love to go on a long cattle drive. I used to go on trail rides all the time. I told my kids I was going to get a horse, take my dog and ride across the country, just for the heck of it. They asked if I had gotten my hormones refilled yet! It would be a ride of a lifetime and I can always dream!
Again, it is wonderful to see dreams come true for those who have changed their lives with this. I am happy you are sharing yours with us. Thanks Deb!

Sherry

Do you remember that guy who rode coast to coast back when we were teens?  I think it was featured for several months in Horse and Rider or Western Horseman.

Sounds like you had a blast!  I am glad you enyoed yourself.  Stable horses can be so grumpy!   I haven't been on a horse in decades due to my size- poor horsie- I would have killed it!

One sad thing-driving through the country I saw a lot of thin horses, and that bothers the crap out of me, but I can't just stay in my house and hide because the world is a cruel place sometimes, and I can't afford to take them all in....

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Deb unfortunately horses have become a casuality of the economy.  The price of corn has went up because of ethenol production and also because of the price of diesel.  I know the easy thing is to say to sell them but there's nobody buying.  I just went to Texas last weekend and someone gave me a 2 year old gelding that is by a 2 time AQHA world champion and out of a mare who was a world qualifier.  We're paying 11.00 a bale for alfalfa and grass hay is 7.00 for small square bales.  I'm fortunate that I have a hay field and have had that round baled. 

Congrats on riding again.  Your right riding English will really build up your core muscles :)