Horse Riding

I have to admit that I have never been a big fan of learning to ride a horse. My sister was always very keen and would take-up every opportunity to get on a horse even the clothes horse over the bath, much to annoyance of mother.

I recall a time my sister actually went to a riding school for a while on Caerphilly Mountain. At great expense, she would disappear up the mountain for lessons and return covered in mud. It came to nothing.

Through my new partner I have been able to experience horses and horse riding on a more regular basis. Amy has four horses of varying age and condition and her family look after another two. Whether it was a joke or an attempt to test the size of my balls; Amy's mother Mandy, decided I should start out on Ned...the biggest, strongest and cheekiest of the Hammond's herd/harass.

You can't just get-on a horse and ride though. There is the whole ritual to go through first, of grooming and preparing your horse. An opportunity to bond with the horse I'm told. Or at least a chance to see how inadequate man is "downstairs", compared to his four, or is that five, legged friend.

From The Ranch

I had to stand on a barrel just to get on him! Neither Amy or Mandy would stray too far away. I could see the fear in their eyes. They obviously knew Ned was prone to giving a novice rider a rough ride. Sure enough he didn't want to go in the direction I wanted him to go IE: not through the hedge but around it. You see horses only think about their own height. If they think they can make it through a gap in the tree lined hedge they will go for it. Regardless of the rider on top. Unless the rider can prevent such a bolt, you should expect a face full of tree. I could not stop the bolt.

This little event, along with the un-planned cantering through a field, has not stopped me wanting to learn more. I look forward to my next ride especially as I look fantastic in chaps.

HDM