We’re Together Forever
Published by GHC • Aug 3rd, 2008 • Category: Riding Advice, by Madelainaby Madelaina, age 12
Just recently, I discovered there are things that can keep you from living your dream as a successful rider. Building off horsejo’s blog on Crossing the Bumpy Road to the Smooth, you can experience hard roads to ride just about anywhere at anytime with any horse. I have definitely encountered harsh terrain, and eventually I overcame my doubts. Below are some of the rough winds I encountered, and tips to help you pull through them if you should experience the same.
1. LOVE HORSES BECAUSE YOU DO.
Throughout figurative journeys of learning how to ride and care for horses (with intense help from horse books), I concentrated so much on doing my best, but never asked myself who I was doing this for. You would obviously be thinking “Well, aren’t you riding because you love it?” Correct. To achieve horse riding time, I had to fight for it. This didn’t require any strength; physical or mental. What it needed to come true was for me to love horses not for anyone else, but for myself. For a while I concentrated too much on doing my best and getting things right during rides when I just should have realized how high on a horse I can already fly and be overwhelmed by it. I missed the whole point of horse riding and just worried about pleasing my instructor and proving to my parents their money wasn’t going to waste. But now I know.
This special bond with horses cannot be overruled by me not entirely enjoying it. It is this special bond that has taken me this far in everything I’ve accomplished. Ride because you love it and be proud, no matter what the instructor or anybody else thinks.
2. IT IS THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE.
Ever heard of the saying ‘don’t cry over spilled milk?’ At a horse camp not long ago I was not doing as good as I should be. Nine other people were there, probably thinking I was a good rider, but maybe laughing their heads off later. The tack always seemed to tangle, the lead ropes didn’t want to be untied, my legs just decided to become jelly the minute I began posting, and my horse was in no mood to listen to half-halts. Because of such humiliation, unable to ride properly, and my instructor’s disappointment, I was stuck on that day for a while and refused to move on and think about making the future better. I kept stressing about how much of a fool I must’ve been. I paid no attention to the present, but kept worrying about the past. Thankfully I realized my mistake before my next lesson, and guess what? I had the time of my life then. Never ever let what happened in the past stop you from growing in your riding. Take what you have experienced in the past and strive to achieve success in the unpredictable future.
3. LAY TRUST IN YOUR HORSE.
No matter what horse you’re riding, you must learn to trust them, even if you’ve never ridden them before. After all, it is them you are putting all your weight on and trusting not to throw you. I was unsure when a few lessons ago I was moving on to a more advanced horse, since I had bonded with my previous horse really well. Not knowing what to expect, I agreed to give it a try riding the new horse. The first lesson I had with him was different but acceptable, yet it was hard to determine whether I could bond with him as well as I had with my first horse. All it took was a few more lessons, now we’ve made great friends.
I have a friend who, on occasion, goes to camps and on trail rides where I ride. She is absolutely obsessed with one horse and is unwilling to ride other horses. Personally, I respect the bond of a horse and rider, but you can always gain experience from riding different horses with different personalities. Because of this I was worried on her behalf that she wouldn’t accomplish anything if in the future she had no choice but to ride another horse. Sure enough, the next time we rode together she was paired up with a completely new horse and told me she didn’t feel confident when riding. She didn’t trust her horse enough. All the time missing the horse she always rode, my friend didn’t give her new mount much of a chance and familiarize herself with him, resulting in her not having as good a time she should have, and riding worse than usual.
Grasp every opportunity you have to try out a new horse, and when doing so, trust him or her. You might, as I have, be surprised and make another horsey friend, which is a worthy reward.
I am hoping no one else has encountered my wild rollercoaster rides, and won’t any time in the future. I will never be ready to give up becoming one with a horse (on or off him/her), and I doubt it would be any different with all who read this. So why not step forward and be together forever with horses?
A beautiful blog Madelaina. You’re 100% right, you’ve GOT to be yourself, look into the future and trust your horse.
Once again, an excellent blog =]
Great blog, Madelaina. I have really learned from this blog. You are a very talented and courageous JB. Keep up the great blogs!
-mustangmane
Wow! Madelaina! This is indescibeble in words! You have perfectly described almost every bump I have gone through with horses! Fatastic job and it was a joy to read! Keep up the fantastic fantastic fantastic work! I love reading anything by you! You are INCREDIBLE!!!
This also helped me because my latest lesson did not go as well as I had hoped! This really cheered me up and helped me realize I’m not the only one who goes through bumps and twists in riding life!
Horsecrazzz: The same goes for you as well :D Thank you so much for what you’ve said. Those words had really risen my spirits after not being able to go riding because of the weather.
It is fantastic to see that this blog is enjoyed. Thanks everyone for commenting.
Wow this is amazing! Sorry I haven’t been on GHC in a long time! I couldn’t believe the words that you wrote here, have you ever thought of being a newspaper writer, or author, blog writer, journalist, all those different stuff? Very good and thanks for the very useful advice!
Thanks Lauren, it’s great that you’re visiting Girls Horse Club again. I had thought about all those careers, and I’m very happy to say GHC and all its inspiring writers have helped me come closer to them.
Your very welcome Madelaina, its become such a habit to look immediately at your blogs, they are so inspiring! I have total writers block now! Hope to talk to you around!
Lauren xD :)
Horses give me great inspiration. I always find ideas when I think about, read or ride them. Good luck :)