ow.

[rm]

You know, yesterday after the horseback riding lesson, I was sore, and I knew in the next couple of days I'd be more sore. But I got home, and after an hour or two, I felt fine, and sort of shrugged it off.

Oh. My. God.

My left shoulder loathes me (and honestly, with the way it feels I'm realizing I probably couldn't have even gotten on to the damn horse had I not been working out the last few weeks). My right thigh isn't too happy (but I pulled it getting up on the horse the first time, so I knew that was going to be bad). And really, everything just bloody hurts to the point of there being no point in doing an inventory of it. And I know it will be worse tomorrow.

I have no idea why I am doing this, beyond a temporary burst of insanity. I know it's difficult, that I think it's funny, and that it's giving me a vague sense of accomplishment. I know I also like what I feel like sitting up there, and that I wouldn't if the posture wasn't natural to me. I look good on the stupid horse, and that matters (I am the vainest tomboy you will ever meet, especially considering that I nearly never wear makeup).

Meanwhile, I live in horror that I may have to make the damn horse trot next time, like all by myself. You have to understand, I don't know how to ride a bike, or drive a car or anything, and in general, have a horror of things that go fast. I'll only rollerblade in a rink, and it still bloody terrifies me. Poor Emily. I told her to start and stop a lot.

Also, hey, is that business about getting right back on the horse after you fall off -- well... like does that mean I _am_ going to fall off the horse eventually? I was lying awake about that last night. *shudder*

Speaking of vanity -- I bought stretch jeans and ugly boots at K-Mart for under $40 total, and not only do both seem to be working out perfectly (although if I keep up with this, I'll get paddock boots, because the heavily treaded sole on my crappy boots do hook in the stirupps in a way I'm not liking at times), everyone keeps telling me how good they look. I don't wear jeans. I wind up with a pair like every five years or so for whatever reason, but I don't wear jeans. Well these babies make my ass look like it hasn't since I was twenty-two. So let me tell you, all things are possible. K-Mart!

Edited to add: Okay, sitting still isn't too bad. Moving around -- not too bad. The act of sitting down? Sweet Jesus. I know exactly what I did to deserve this. Ow.

Comments

[lilchiva.livejournal.com]

well... like does that mean I _am_ going to fall off the horse eventually"

Yes.
And if you really fall in love with horses- you too can know the joy of waking up at 5 EVERY morning.

[tsal.livejournal.com]

the key to learning horseback riding, is to do it in areas with wonderful views. then it's sorta worth the pain.

[schmidtybooger.livejournal.com]

Every summer when I was a kid my family would spend a week on the farm in Kansas. We'd wake up early every morning and check the fences (it was a cattle and pig farm). My horse's name was Jacuzzi because she peed everywhere. I so miss riding her, though the first few days ont he farm were agony. Once it took me a good three minutes to get off the toilet one morning, I almost had to call for help.

[patashoqua.livejournal.com]

You will fall off the horse eventually. That is a given, and it happens to absolutely everyone. If you're in the ring at the time, your instructor will say something like "congratulations, now you're a real rider". The point of lessons is that you will have more control over how and when it happens, a better understanding of both how the horse moves and how you move in relation to the horse (and therefore a better understanding of where and how to land), and less fear.

[ex-mijra932.livejournal.com]

I didn't fall off a horse until I learned to jump. Even then, it was more startling (I fell off?!) than painful. I wouldn't worry about it. You've got a lot more control over your body than I do, and a much better sense of balance than I do. (Honestly, I can only ride a bicycle fast because the motion keeps me upright. I'd fall off if I went slowly.) Falling off and getting back on, however scary it seems from this end, will probably end up being one of your personal triumphs and leave you wondering why you worried about it.

I've always thought people said "if you fall off, get right back on"--because horses and horsebackriding don't respect quitters. And, yes, falling can be scary in both psychological and physical ways if the situation is right. But you're not a quitter, and I don't think you'd respect yourself either if you didn't get up, brush yourself off, and get back on. It's what you do with the rest of your life, anyway.

Running, most people can keep up with most horses at a trot. Put off fearing "going fast" until you have to canter.

You seem to have found a good way to suppliment your exercise!

[zarq.livejournal.com]

I grew up riding at Jamaica Bay Riding Academy until I was in my mid-teens. It was a great place to learn. The instructors would let you (supervised) take the horses out on the beach and run them at a full gallop.

I completely agree with patashoqua. The key here is not to worry about falling, but to pay close attention to the mood and feel of the horse beneath you. It happens to every rider eventually. If you fall in a paddock or ring, then it's less likely you'll be injured. The truth is, you'll probably be so surprised when it happens, that it will be over before you have a chance to react.

You've already overcome the fear that you have to mount and sit on a large animal that outweighs you by hundreds of pounds. Now, to ride effectively you'll need control, confidence, empathy and a decent sense of balance. This takes time, but isn't difficult to learn. Something worth mentioning: If you fall off and you're not hurt, definitely get right back on. Remember, the horse doesn't judge or care. :)

Trotting is just a fast walk. You'll probably find it easy to do, since it won't feel as if you're moving quickly. This will become an issue when you canter and gallop. ;-)

[daverhodester.livejournal.com]

Rach, you oughta see what the horse posted on HER weblog about YOU.. :-)

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

My mom rode a lot in her teens, and she used to compete on the jumps. Every so often the horse will decide that it just doesn't want to go over that little fence or those poles. Her horse skidded to a stop and threw her off, over the jump. She was so pissed.