I smell like a horse.

[mijan]

But there's a reason for that. I went horseback riding today. My sister is brushing up on her riding skills because she's going to be teaching basic riding to campers this summer at the camp where she's working. So, I went with her to her lesson today, back to the barn where we used to ride when we were kids. I used to ride this bay thoroughbred mare named Babe. She was my favourite.

Anyhow, Babe was the horse Dory had planned for my sister to ride today, and I dug right in to help with the pre-ride grooming. (Babe had decided to roll in the mud out in the paddock, and seeing as it's just recently rained, she did a very thorough job of it, so it really was a two-person grooming job.) Anyhow, I couldn't help myself. I missed Babe so much, so I shelled out the money and did a lesson. I actually rode very well, especially for not having ridden more than three times in about a decade. Dory and her husband Iggy were both quite impressed.

And now, I HAVE to go back again.

*whimpers* I missed my Babe! I'll take pictures next time I go so you can see.

Comments

[adinasauce.livejournal.com]

Awww!

My cousin Jeremy has a farm with three horses and a herd of cows. Last time I visited him, I rode Prince, who is a trained barrell-racing horse (don't know the breed, sorry!). Anyroads, Jeremy had used a new bit when he saddled Prince up, and Prince was NOT happy. I lightly tapped his side with my heel to get him to walk, and he TOOK OFF at a gallop.

Mind you, this was my first time ever riding past a very slow trot.

I don't know how I managed staying on that boy. He just went wild. It was awesome. :D

[enderxenocide.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I'm so jealous! I LOVE horseback riding and I haven't had the chance to ride for quite a few months. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Your sister is insanely lucky. That would be the best job. (I used to go to a horse camp--tons of fun). I used to just go to my neighbor's afterschool and brush their horses or clean up the stalls or anything. You ride Western, right? I've tried English, and gah, my thighs certainly got a workout.

Now I have to go make plans to ride as soon as I can. You forget how much fun it is until you're back on the saddle.

Glad you had so much fun and got to ride Babe! She sounds like a sweetie.
love, Rooney

[morganashkevron.livejournal.com]

aww! P, I know exactly how ya feel. I'm all in supergirlyhorsemode because when I go home I get to take regualar lessons again and once I get myself a decent (and steady) job, I'm going to buy a foal. I've been looking! They're sooooooo cute.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Good times! And yes, you are lucky you managed to stay on. :)

[mijan.livejournal.com]

WESTERN?!? Gah, no. Why would you make that assumption?

I ride English. I've almost always ridden English, although I *can* ride Western; it's far easier, but I don't like it as much. Babe's a thoroughbred, and has been trained primarily to English.

And yes, Babe is a sweetie. For people who are accustomed to quarter horses and Appaloosas, they would probably find Babe a bit high-strung, but I learned to ride on thoroughbreds, so I know their temperment. Once you're used to them, they're wonderful, very intelligent and spirited.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Be careful when buying a foal. Do you know who's going to train it? Are YOU prepared to train it? Chances are you'd be better off buying a slightly older horse as a first-time horse buyer.

[dark-eyed-amy.livejournal.com]

bay thoroughbred mare

Yay teh pretty horses. My mum had a bay half-thoroughbred mare, called Dulci.

*misses horse*

TAKEPICTURES!11!1!! *fangirls*

[enderxenocide.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Sometime's I forget that I live really close to Montana, and those "cowboy" areas. I've been dubbed a cowgirl by my parents since I was 5!

Sorry about that! Western is a lot more common around here. And I'm WAY impressed that you ride English. Seriously.

It's really rewarding to ride a high-tempered horse sometimes, just to know that you can control them and that you know the horse that well.

love and apologies, Rooney

[mijan.livejournal.com]

LOL. It's ok, Rooney. Not a big deal. I've ridden some Western. It's just a different style.
Where do you live, in relation to Montana? I've been out there before.