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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by madeline on November 5, 2006, at 11:10:50
I've always loved horses even as a little kid.
My mom was petrified of horses and wouldn't let me near them, but one time my dad snuck me out of the house and took me to a horse show. I couldn't have been more than 6.
While we were there, without even asking this rider just picked me up and we rode around and around this ring. My dad didn't even get mad. God bless him.
It was magical. I'll never forget it.
About a month ago I decided that I was going to learn to ride. I tried several stables, and finally found one that "fit".
Yesterday was my third lesson and I was on a lunge line (you let go of the reigns, take your feet out of the stirrups and let the instructor lead the horse in a circle).
It's designed to work on balance and help the student learn the proper "seat".
I've never experienced anything like it. I was sure I would fall off or something terrible would happen, but it didn't!
I just moved with the horse, it wasn't even a struggle. We were just synched. I've never felt so much freedom and joy.
In fact, I just started to laugh just out of the blue, just riding and laughing on the lunge line.
My instructor said I sounded like her two year old daughter.
When I left, I felt as though a tremendous burden had been lifted from me. I felt lighter, freer, happier than I think I have ever felt in my life.
I didn't have to control anything, just move and flow with it.
I think that is a valuable lesson for me. It's easier if you don't fight everything all the time. But just let go the reigns and ride with it. Move with the flow, instead of trying to change it.
If you talk to horse people, they always talk about learning more from the horses than from anything else in their lives.
I think they are right.
I can't wait for my next riding/life lesson.
Posted by SatinDoll on November 5, 2006, at 12:58:03
In reply to Horseback Riding as Therapy?, posted by madeline on November 5, 2006, at 11:10:50
I love the image you gave of yourself, ;-)
I think it is great things for you, laughing like a child, well that is something we all need to remember to do time to time. Thanks for reminding me. (((((( maddie))))
Posted by sunnydays on November 5, 2006, at 14:42:33
In reply to Horseback Riding as Therapy?, posted by madeline on November 5, 2006, at 11:10:50
That sounds so wonderful. I've always wanted to learn to ride horses, as the few times I have I have just been amazed at their power and strength, and yet how gentle they usually are. I'm so glad you had that experience. And sounding like a two-year-old can be really good for one's health sometimes. I miss that feeling of pure joy. Congratulations on finding it.
sunnydays
Posted by muffled on November 6, 2006, at 11:51:31
In reply to Horseback Riding as Therapy?, posted by madeline on November 5, 2006, at 11:10:50
I think it sounds wonderful Maddie!
Its put such a lovely image in my mind.
When I was a teen, we used to take the bus out to the country and shovel sh*t in trade for reduced rate horse rentals. I LOVED it! The horses were pretty crappy, they had every bad ahbit known to horsedom. But what a boon to my self esteem that I was able to get a handle on any of them! None could beat me out, or buck me off more than onece or mebbe twice ;-)
And there was this one quarter horse, the best of their horses, who LOVED to run. And we got to know each other reasonably well, and we'd go out together, and he'd be spinning wild, then we'd get to this spot, I'd loosen the reigns, and we'd FLY. On God it was SO exilarating.
Specially once my legs got strong and I could hold on well bareback. He loved the run and so did I!
Unfortunately, it was too expensive to continue, with the busses, and it took a long time to get out there.....
But I think it had huge theraputic value for me while it lasted.
Thanks for reminding me Maddie
Muffled
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