26 November 2010

What a week!

Wednesday:

Even though the therapy classes had the week off, there is still work to be done to keep the ranch running.  Wednesday morning three of my cousins and an aunt accompanied me to the barn for turn out.  I was unsure how the kids would react; R & E like animals but could have been disappointed that they couldn't actually ride; J&J are tween-agers and could have been uninterested in the the entire experience....but they loved it!    The mules were an especially big hit, and the kids all enjoyed an impromptu lesson from the farrier who was there to put shoes on one of the other horses.  I got the chance to share all kinds of tidbits with them, like how to approach from the side instead of head on, why horses have eyes on the sides of their heads instead of straight on, how to walk beside and behind them properly, etc.  It was especially rewarding to hear the kids at Thanksgiving dinner reciting all their facts to grown ups, and each other.

Turn in was frightfully cold in 27 degree weather, with 27 mph winds.  The horses get frisky in the wind, and I had two "green" (what we call an inexperienced horse) handlers with me who hadn't worked with the herd (or horses in general) much.  Thankfully everyone stayed safe, and we all eventually thawed out.  I was especially thankful that I broke down and bought a new carhartt jacket with a hood.  It was a worthwhile investment!

Thursday:

Happy Turkey Day!  We started the days festivities with bloody mary's and bacon quiche, yum.  Most of the afternoon was occupied by football (I am thankful for a Patriots victory!) and cooking.  There was quite a spread this year: two turkeys, a ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole (not as good as last years - this was my dish) broccoli bake, creamed onions, stuffing, two kinds of rolls, cranberry sauce, corn, pumpkin and apple pies with ice cream, oh my.  The cousins were in charge of making place cards for everyone using scrapbooking supplies and funny old photos.  The place cards were a hoot, and will continue as a tradition (and grow in their ridiculousness, I'm sure!)  Thanksgiving always gives me the opportunity to reflect on what I'm thankful for, but it also makes me realize I should spend more time in my everyday life being thankful.

I'm starting a 365 Days of Thanks Challenge in which every day I will give thanks for one thing, no matter how large or small.  I will try and blog as many days worth of thanks as I can.

Friday:

I rode for two hours with my trainer today, since I didn't have a CL class with the kids.  I started my lesson on my trusty steed C.  We did a lot of dressage work before I switched to my other leading man, S.  S was full of pep and I worked on my seat and gaits with him.

About an hour and a half into the ride I started cantering. S has a beautiful, big, rocking chair stride, and I felt very comfortable loosening my reins and using my seat and legs to support me. My right leg is significantly weaker than my left in the saddle, and I could feel it tiring.  I told L (my trainer) I have a bad habit of not quitting until I get something absolutely right, even if it hurts!
 I asked S for a canter and we began smoothly.  As we began circling, I felt my right ankle buckle in the stirrup, throwing my whole seat out of balance.  I felt myself shift to the right and thought for a split second "this is the first time I'm going to come off a horse in about six years...and it's going to be rough" before I immediately though, "girl get your ass back in that seat!"  (Keep in mind this conversation in my head is all taking place while S is still cantering along, totally un-phased by the fact that I'm about to come unhinged)  I grabbed as much of his mane as I could find and hung on, until I could simultaneously get my right foot back into the stirrup and get my reins collected in my left hand.

Previous to my near un-seating, I had been feeling slightly discouraged.  C was refusing to make the turns I was asking for, and I was riding in a dressage saddle and couldn't tell if my legs were under me or not.  In short - I was feeling uncoordinated, and unproductive, and like I wasn't making progress.  But in the five seconds it took me to collect myself enough to not fall off my horse, I realized I'm making HUGE PROGRESS!  My form might not always be perfect, and I might struggle to keep all the parts of my body and my horses body doing what they should be at all times, but I am a strong rider who can control herself, and her mount when it matters.

So today, Day 1/365: I am thankful that I almost fell off my horse today.  It allowed me the opportunity to correct an undesirable situation and put my skills that I had been questioning just moments earlier to use!