This “please stay home” request isn’t all bad. I have enjoyed a little more horse time since we haven’t been running boys to Taekwondo, Wednesday night church, baseball or t-ball. This introvert is usually OK with being at home with my family. Life will start picking up soon though, they can start attending in-dojo classes next week! We may even get in a little baseball this summer.
While I can, I’m soaking up a little extra horse time. I hauled my mare to a nearby arena the other day, and while getting ready to ride this energetic, extroverted Horsenality ®, I thought of this little saying:
“A trip to the E.R. is not an option.” I’ve thought of this more than once lately.
Those who have known me a long time may have visited me in the hospital after a horse ride that hasn’t gone as planned.
There I was, riding my 4-H horse, Playboy, at my brother’s place out in the arena. At 18 years young I was not afraid of what can easily accompany riding horses….and that is injury. We were cantering circles and my English saddle, paired with me leaning to the outside of the circle, slipped. I can remember thinking, “oh no! I’m going to fall!” As the saddle slipped around to his belly, I fell. Playboy stepped on me just below my ribs and squished some parts that were not meant to be squished. Five days later, one ruptured spleen and one collapsed lung later, I was released from the hospital. I was “sentenced” to 6 long weeks of not being able to ride horse. I jumped back in the saddle (western) as soon as possible. I was excited to be back!
Anyone who rides horse probably has their own stories of injuries, broken bones, E.R. visits and more. If you haven’t fallen off a horse, you probably haven’t ridden enough. However, I’m not 18 anymore and the thought of serious injury from horses does change how I do things nowadays. I don’t bounce like I used to. Nor do I have any desire to pick myself up off the ground. Fortunately, I have gotten much wiser when preparing to ride. I’m grateful to have learned to teach ground skills and have actually learned to love teaching the horse from the ground, first. It’s improved my natural horse-man-ship and also helps me connect with the horse better. It helps them get over most of their silliness before I step into the saddle and they learn respect and to stay out of my bubble if I don’t want them there.
Still, there are days when even after playing with a horse on the ground, my sense of self- preservation can be quite high; so can my mares. She gets silly, I get tight, and that can be a recipe for injury…hers, mine, or both. It’s those days that I have to focus on my mindset.
Respond, don’t react.
See it the way I want it.
Energy flows where attention goes.
All are thoughts I keep at the forefront. If I focus on something I think the horse is going to spook from, then she’s probably going to spook. If I go into a ride fearing the worst, guess what? It doesn’t go well. Instead, I take a deep breath, oil up with some Valor ™, apply Grounding ™ to her and focus on how I actually want the ride to go. It makes a huge difference! I stay relaxed, she stays relaxed and we have a much better ride together.
That’s also a great life principle.
Focus on the good you have and want in life. Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to. Life is truly beautiful and amazing and we do have so much to be thankful for.
Enjoy your weekend!
