It's Just Like Riding a Bike... sort of

So, as I mentioned, I headed home the week after Christmas. It's been a year since I've been there- way too long. Last year I went just for a few days, this year I went for 6.

The thing is, it just makes me want to go home more. It makes me want to move home more. SIGH.

My parents and sister have Welsh ponies. I have two myself (really my mom's). I haven't ridden in years, but my sister asked me to go cross-country with her. So, she helped me saddle up, and I donned some of my 11 year-old nephew's gear (helps to have a big nephew!).

Riding a horse is like riding a bike. You don't really forget... but your MUSCLES sure do!! We went out for about an hour, wearing bright jerseys as so avoid getting shot by some deer hunters.

This is Christine on Jim, on the second ride.

The first day I rode my sister's gelding Gentleman Jim, a registered section B pony. It was really fun. We walked and trotted. Then I asked him to canter, and he let out a few bucks!!

I laughed and laughed, and Christine says "Oh, I forgot to tell you he did that!" Ah, all the more fun!! At one point we were cantering and he bucked and swerved... I managed to stay on, my sister yelling "STAY ON!" As if I had anything to say about it. ** laughing**

The next day Christine asked me if I wanted to ride again. I hemmed and hawed, mostly because I was in the middle of cleaning something out for my mom (I am RUTHLESS when it comes to junk).  Jason said to me, "Can I go if you don't?" I think my heart audibley broke. 1. because it was so heartfelt, 2. because all the other kids ride and mine don't have the opportunity like they do, and 3. because I had to tell him "no, you don't ride well enough." Oh, it makes living up here in Maine SO much harder!

Jason and Jim

But, I rode again despite the fact that muscles I forgot about were sore, not to mention my "seat bones." Lord, it felt like someone had hit me in the butt with a bat! hahaha. Gwr (pronounced Gore) is a stallion, a bit fiesty, but well behaved. We had the same sort of lovely ride, including some bucks too. But a much calmer day, overall. That's a good thing, because I'm thinking that if I'd gotten thrown it would have been ugly.

Jason was able to do a little riding in. It made me glad for him. And it also makes me more determined to get him riding up here. So, if anyone has a bomb proof pony, let me know.

hugs, Lee