“A horse is the projection of peoples’ dreams about themselves – strong, powerful, beautiful – and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.” ~ Pam Brown
When my friend asked if I wanted to go horseback riding I immediately said yes. Then I thought about it, and some chosen expletives began floating through my head.
I have wanted to go horseback riding for years. It is something that has been on my bucket list. I am not going to lie though, horses kind of scare me.
Oh don’t get me wrong, I love them. Love petting them. They are great from solid ground. In fact I use to be obsessed with the show Wildfire. I wanted Wildfire. I also wanted Geneva Cortese’s hair.
But actually riding them?
Well as a legal midget I knew just getting on a horse was going to be a show. In fact the first thing that came to mind was the Lindsey Vonn commercial for Reeses. Only difference (aside from height) that was all fake and she can actually ride just fine.
I could picture people trying to push my Kim K rear as I struggled to get in the saddle. I even sent my friend the following conversation joking about it.
Me: Why do I have a feeling they are going to give me a pony?
ALC: Did you not see ME on a pony? (My friend is like a frickin’ amazon woman, tall gorgeous and Kate Middleton wants to be her)
Me: Wait THAT was a pony? Whatever happened to my little pony? (Me wishing it was petite, type dyed and I could put it in my pocket like I did as a kid)
ALC: Borderline tall pony short horse. They do come smaller (That was horse speech)
Me: I am going to need the worlds shortest horse! I can just see everyone trying to push my derriere up and the horse just standing there like what is this human doing? (And I was beginning to wonder what in the world Carmen San Diego I had signed up for!)
I really was hoping for some my little pony and thumbalinaesque horses. Well the latter delivered, but they didn’t make me ride those.
Well I have never been one to back down from a challenge. Or to let fear stop me from following through. In fact a certain amount of fear is a good thing. It keeps you from doing something idiotic.
So I arrived at the farm feeling a little better that the horses weren’t as tall as my seven year old self remembered. The staff were friendly and super helpful. They brought me a smaller palomino by the name of Fred. I greeted him with some trepidation before I made the feat of actual getting on him.
First, yes mom, you were right. I have a totally over active imagination. Getting on was actually a lot easier then I thought. I knew yoga came in handy for something. Once they adjusted the saddle (by shortening it…A lot!) and I got situated, Fred and I started to become acquainted.
The thing about horses and I think universally, all animals is they pick up on emotions, which includes nervousness, which I was. The moment I relaxed so did he. He was a calm steady horse, with kind eyes but a bit of spunk underneath. I could tell he had a bit of speed demon in him, much like myself. We were to kindred spirits Fred and I. It was amazing not just the ease, but also the unity that resonated as we rode through the Adirondacks.
At that moment my jaded city heart melted. I also was wondering why the hell I hadn’t done this sooner!
As I told my friend she has created a monster. While I will probably never attempt any Olympic dressage competitions, or the Belmont Stakes, I am definitely itching to ride again.
