Animals
Yesterday afternoon was beautiful....clear blue skies, low 60's, cool breeze....perfect for a ride. I decided early in the day that I would make riding Moonbeam my goal for the day. This might seem like no big deal to many of you. But to me....huge goal. I have been avoiding getting back on Moonbeam since the last time I was tossed. About a year ago, I was riding him, when my friend's carriage and horse suddenly appeared out of the woods. Moonbeam freaked out and started to buck. I rode the buck for what seemed like an eternity...but eventually ended up on the ground. No big deal, no breaks, just a few bruises....but on top of the fractured pelvis and ribs that I had suffered the prior year (different horse)....it was enough to scare the heck out of me.
So, today, with Hubbs in tow, I walked Moonbeam up to our arena and climbed back in the saddle. We did a few circles and worked on stops and starts, dismounted, remounted, repeated the circles and quit. That was enough for the first day. We ended on a positive note and my self confidence was boosted enormously. I still am not ready for a solo ride and will drag Hubbs with me until I am comfortable. But these baby steps are enormous gains for me.
It is all about conquering fears.....and another item on my "bucket list". I am not about to leave this world with an unchecked fear haunting me. Besides that, my horse needs to work. Hopefully, together we can gain confidence in each other. Hopefully, today is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.
- Pete And Repete
Today I would like to introduce you to a new horse."What? A new horse?" you say. Well, ok, then....not an entirely new horse,but a "remodeled" horse, let's say. Dear friends, I would like you to meet the new and improved Pete.If you are new to this...
- More Lessons Learned
"KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!" After yesterday, this is a phrase I will never forget. You might remember me talking about past horseback riding incidents that endedwith me sailing through the air and landing on the ground...and this being the source of my eventual...
- Happy Endings
About five years ago I made the decision to buy a haflinger.Now, if you know nothing about haflingers, I will fill you in... Haflingers are small, 13 to 15 hands, draft horses from Austria, with an undeniable people-oriented personality.They are...
- A Perfect Day
If someone asked me...I would have to say that I am a very happy person.Every day is a good day.That is, of course, unless it is a GREAT day! Yesterday was one such day.GREAT! I was twenty feet tall...on top of the world.And judging from this picture,...
- A Visitor To Bee Haven Acres
Meet Roeluf. He is a 10 year old Fresian Gelding owned by my dear friends and neighbors Tim and Ann. Years ago they travelled to Holland to find a young Fresian. After days of searching, they found Roeluf. Ann has spent the past 7 years training Roeluf...
Animals
Conquering Fears
Yesterday afternoon was beautiful....clear blue skies, low 60's, cool breeze....perfect for a ride. I decided early in the day that I would make riding Moonbeam my goal for the day. This might seem like no big deal to many of you. But to me....huge goal. I have been avoiding getting back on Moonbeam since the last time I was tossed. About a year ago, I was riding him, when my friend's carriage and horse suddenly appeared out of the woods. Moonbeam freaked out and started to buck. I rode the buck for what seemed like an eternity...but eventually ended up on the ground. No big deal, no breaks, just a few bruises....but on top of the fractured pelvis and ribs that I had suffered the prior year (different horse)....it was enough to scare the heck out of me.
And so for the past year, I have done everything I could to avoid getting back up on the horse. I am great at coming up with all types of excuses....usually because there was some work that needed to get done....all the while just avoiding the idea (and never really fooling myself).
For the past couple of weeks, I have been working on ground driving Moonbeam to get my confidence back and to work on his "brakes". Because he is basically a driving horse, I have traded in the snaffle bit for a little harsher driving bit (still a kind bit, but more control). This has made a world of difference and has boosted my confidence.
So, today, with Hubbs in tow, I walked Moonbeam up to our arena and climbed back in the saddle. We did a few circles and worked on stops and starts, dismounted, remounted, repeated the circles and quit. That was enough for the first day. We ended on a positive note and my self confidence was boosted enormously. I still am not ready for a solo ride and will drag Hubbs with me until I am comfortable. But these baby steps are enormous gains for me.It is all about conquering fears.....and another item on my "bucket list". I am not about to leave this world with an unchecked fear haunting me. Besides that, my horse needs to work. Hopefully, together we can gain confidence in each other. Hopefully, today is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.- Pete And Repete
Today I would like to introduce you to a new horse."What? A new horse?" you say. Well, ok, then....not an entirely new horse,but a "remodeled" horse, let's say. Dear friends, I would like you to meet the new and improved Pete.If you are new to this...
- More Lessons Learned
"KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!" After yesterday, this is a phrase I will never forget. You might remember me talking about past horseback riding incidents that endedwith me sailing through the air and landing on the ground...and this being the source of my eventual...
- Happy Endings
About five years ago I made the decision to buy a haflinger.Now, if you know nothing about haflingers, I will fill you in... Haflingers are small, 13 to 15 hands, draft horses from Austria, with an undeniable people-oriented personality.They are...
- A Perfect Day
If someone asked me...I would have to say that I am a very happy person.Every day is a good day.That is, of course, unless it is a GREAT day! Yesterday was one such day.GREAT! I was twenty feet tall...on top of the world.And judging from this picture,...
- A Visitor To Bee Haven Acres
Meet Roeluf. He is a 10 year old Fresian Gelding owned by my dear friends and neighbors Tim and Ann. Years ago they travelled to Holland to find a young Fresian. After days of searching, they found Roeluf. Ann has spent the past 7 years training Roeluf...