Adventures on Horseback

Being on horseback is like leaving life behind and being in the moment. Winston Churchill said, “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”

• Nature in all its Beauty: There are many places to appreciate the beauty of nature, but from the back of a horse allows for ultimate relaxation and gratefulness. The quietness of nature and the rawness of the landscape can really replenish your soul in the business of today’s lifestyle. Nature can indulge your senses- feeling the crispness of the air, listening to birds singing their sweet songs, the wind weaving through the trees, hearing the steadiness of horse hooves sloshing through the pasture.
• Animal Connection: You can’t be skittish and tense around horses. Horses require calmness and concentration. Many equine therapy programs boast the many benefits, such as increased self-esteem, self-awareness, and empathy; improvement with depression/anxiety and trauma. That is the mental aspect. Read on for physical attributes.
• Physical Strength: First and foremost, core strength is needed. Riding horseback tests your balance. If you use a heavy hand, the horse is well aware. Riding with a light grip on the reins requires arm strength and fine motor skill. Legs, back and even neck muscles get a work out when riding. I think of riding horseback like a nuzzling, 1000 pound, fur covered thigh master.
• Live in the Moment: Being present, keeping an eye out for impending disasters makes you vigilant. It is still an overwhelming calmness but you never know when a random critter might scurry from the landscape, or your horse decides he/she needs a good shaking to get the sweat and dust off his/her coat. That’s when physical strength and animal connection come into play. Nothing like a jackrabbit darting out from the brush to engage your adductor longus and adductor magnus muscles. Also known as inner thigh muscles.
• Pushing Boundaries: Cactus here, is a horse I have never ridden. He was on loan from a local rancher where my husband, son and I could explore areas of the ranch I had never been to. I have ridden horses from a very young age, ran barrel races and various gymkhana and 4H events, gathered many a herd of cattle, showed horses, and taken care of them in every aspect, but respect the beast. I didn’t know Cactus and he didn’t know me. How would he travel on a snow soaked Montana pasture, so heavy with Springtime moisture, that tiny rivers were flowing? Would he kick if you crossed behind him in an unpredictable manner? Are there wolves on the ranch? Do Timberwolves exist in this state? They can be about 6 feet long you know, and outweigh me by a good 50 pounds. Know your comfort zone. And know your surroundings.

Adventure can arise in many situations. Sometimes you just have to pull on your boots, grab the reins and throw caution to the wind. It doesn’t hurt to say a little prayer now and then too, especially if you don’t want to end up IN Cactus.