Desert Horses

Welcome to my horse blog, Desert Horses. We live in the desert southwest, near Palm Springs, CA, but board our horses up in our local mountains where it is cooler in the summer. I have 4 horses, all rescues. Here is the ranch up the mountains where the horses stay.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

I rode today~~~First time in 3 YEARS!!!

Today was my breakthrough day.  I got back on a horse and RODE!  I had a lesson with my friend, Annette, down here in the desert.  Annette does 4H and lessons for kids through the recreation department.  She has a wonderful, patient, kind horse named Riley, a Missouri Foxtrotter, who is the lesson horse.  ANYBODY can ride him and today she saddled him and brought him out and said, "Well, are you ready?"  My knees were trembling and my hands were sweating, but I said, "Okay...it's NOW or NEVER!" and we flexed him and up I went.  It was GOOD getting back on a horse.  I was concerned that my back muscles would constrict and my legs would hurt, but only my left leg went to sleep...sigh... She walked him around with me and I learned how to properly back him up, how to turn, how to flex him, and how to do a one-rein stop.  I had a little trouble getting off and nearby fell (again) to the ground, but she stepped in and blocked me, so next lesson, I'll practice dismounting, since that seems to be my trouble spot!  Aren't you all PROUD of me?  It took me 3 years to get BACK on a horse and now I can't wait for Saturday's lesson!  (((BIG SMILE)))...(no pics...I was too busy!)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

So wonderful - congratulations!

Nuzzling Muzzles said...

Yes, I am proud of you! With your health challenges, you need to start out on a lesson horse to cut past all the B.S. that any other horse might dish out. Once you get the hang of how your own body is going to behave while riding, then you can concentrate on controlling a horse. I'll bet you are elated.

Linda said...

I'm very proud of you...that was a big step in the right directions and it sounds like you had the perfect horse! I had a similar momentous day today--getting back on the trail with Cowboy after a year, so we can both celebrate this day together!

Tara said...

Congrats!
Tara

Katharine Swan said...

That's amazing news! Congratulations!

Grey Horse Matters said...

Congratulations! That was a huge accomplishment. Hope you have a wonderful lesson on Saturday.

Russ Krecklow said...

Congratulations. It's been a long time coming, but now you'll just keep right on going. Good for you!

Barb said...

Awesome Cheryl! I bet if feels soo good. Might I suggest a soak in the jacuzzi this evening? With a glass of something celebratory??!

aurora said...

Yeeeay! I am proud of you, way to go!!

cheyenne jones said...

Many Congratulations!!! A big hug from across the pond!

Unknown said...

That is just FABULOUS! Its all about the baby steps we have to to take in order to overcome obstacles.
Congratulations!

C-ingspots said...

Such good news - congratulations! It always amazes me just how good it can feel being horseback. :)