# And Today, I Rode! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 10, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421 "2012-03-10T23:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/1 "2012-03-10T23:03:37Z")
This is truly mundane and pointless to everyone else in the world but me, but I cannot stop grinning. After 25 years, I got on a horse again. I have been volunteering at a horse rescue every Saturday, cleaning stalls, grooming, whatever needs done, just to be around these animals I love so much. They started giving riding lessons today, and I was planning to start them up after I got a riding helmet. Well… the owner called me into her office this morning and said I could borrow a helmet, she was scheduling me for a lesson! :eek: I told her I was not expecting a lesson and didn’t have any money with me… she said to forget about paying this week, I _was_ riding! She matched me up with Moon, a black and white Paint mare, and I rode in the outdoor arena for a half an hour, just walking and trotting, but I felt like I had just won the Kentucky Derby. The instructor said my basic position was good and kept saying “Love your heels”… I naturally keep them down. So yeah… It’s mundane pointlss stuff, but I had to share. ---
**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2012, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/2 "2012-03-10T23:35:54Z")
I recently started riding again after a 15 year hiatus. It’s just wonderful; I find it very meditative and soothing. Congrats on getting back on a horse! ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/3 "2012-03-11T01:00:11Z")
Horses are definitely good for the soul 🙂 My guy is currently in training 3+ hrs south of me. I’ve been driving down once a week for lessons, down and back in one day. It’s amazing that the 7 hrs on the road really is worth it to spend and hour or so in the saddle. I went today actually, for a jumping school. First in the ring, then on to cross-country fences, and finally some gallop practice. 550 mpm (meters per minute) is a BLAST! 😃 Glad you guys are getting back in the saddle! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/4 "2012-03-11T01:03:05Z")
**YAY PapSett!!!** - I’m so very glad to hear it. StG ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/5 "2012-03-11T01:22:01Z")
I feel like I have had my soul given back to me since going out there every week. My entire life has changed. I feel like an entirely different person than I was 3 months ago. I don’t EVER want to go back to a life without horses again. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/6 "2012-03-11T02:47:09Z")
yay for horsies! I rode one once when I was a teenager. It was cool but kinda scary. I had no idea what I was doing, and trying to post a canter hurt my butt. ---
**Author:** ![Sandra\_Battye](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sandra_battye/32/552_2.png) [@Sandra\_Battye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sandra_Battye)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/7 "2012-03-11T03:15:33Z")
Post a CANTER?!? Ouch- most of us just post a trot:) ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/8 "2012-03-11T03:50:04Z")
Congrats. I’m glad that you’ve been able to get involved in this horse rescue. It sounds like it’s been good for you and I’m sure you’re helping out the horses a lot too. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/9 "2012-03-11T04:17:38Z")
Honestly… this horse rescue has been the most life altering thing that has ever happened to me. It has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Every day puts me one day closer to being with the horses… and horse people. Elenore (the owner) also asked me today if I would want to help her with ground work training Jewel, the Appaloosa filly there that I have fallen in love with… Jewel loves me too, and she said she thinks I could get her to work because she DOES love me. I am looking forward to that SO much! Still smiling. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/10 "2012-03-11T20:18:37Z")
I’m jealous! I haven’t been on a horse in over 15 years. I had to give away my beastie when I got ill and had to move. My son was a toddler then and they were best of friends. My horse would come up to the house and stomp on the porch for my son to come outside. My son would run out with a fist full of fruitloops and my horse would gently lick the cereal out from between his fingers. Never nipped him and always stepped very carefully around him. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/11 "2012-03-11T20:20:08Z")
What a fantastic day for you. I’m currently working on losing a lot of weight so that I can get back on a horse, can’t wait for that day to arrive! I think horse threads should follow the same rules as cat threads though, don’t you? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-today-i-rode/615421/12 "2012-03-11T22:38:43Z")
Well, alright Sandra! As you can see in this one, I am a BIG girl. And when I questioned the barn owner, she said there would be no problem, horses are stronger than people think. Moon seemed to have no problem carrying me, and when you consider how many times you see 2 adults riding double, I guess a half hour lesson is OK! Me & Moon: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Moonandme.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Moonandme.jpg) Some of the other residents of H&aP;;; Big Joe & Sandy: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/JoeSandy.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/JoeSandy.jpg) Tomahawk: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Tomahawk.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Tomahawk.jpg) Chevy: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Chevy.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Chevy.jpg) Cut Up: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/CutUp.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/CutUp.jpg) Abby: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Abby.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Abby.jpg) Bella: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Bella.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Bella.jpg) And my beloved little Jewel, 9 month old Appaloosa filly that I would give ANYTHING to buy: [![](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Jewel.jpg) ](https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v20/PapSett/Hoof%20and%20a%20Prayer/Jewel.jpg) I love each and every one of them as if they were my own horses.