My Wild Horse Riding Days

Steven and I had recently visited his parents. The last few days we were there a surprise to us all was an unexpected delivery of horses to the home we were staying at. The family who was sharing their home with us had a friend come by with 4 horses and 2 foals to let graze on their land. From what I heard was these horses hadn't been ridden in a while nor been around people in a while either, but they were suppose to be friendly, docile horses. 


Since I felt I was experienced enough as a rider and everyone didn't seem to care if I rode the horses or not, I had Steven come out with me one fine evening to bribe the horses to come to us with apples. However, I only focused on the horse I planned on riding, yeah, that one in the picture below with the halter on.

I had also got it in my head that obviously the horse with the halter was probably the one ridden more... or the leader of the small herd. Leader I have no doubt about, but there is no way I could have proved this one had been well ridden. And in the back of my head was the wise advice my Uncle Mark had given me years ago, "Meri, never trust a horse that you don't know." Of course that means, "Meri, expect to be bucked off when climbing on a horse you don't know," and that's what I figured would happen with this horse. Thankfully Steven was helpful in this risky event.

Ta'dah! Steven hasn't been around horses. In fact his first riding on one was back in June. But he was a trooper in lending me his knee and keeping the horse steady enough while I swung my leg up and over.

Of course I would have loved to have had a bridal on the horse for more control, but this is what I get for climbing on a horse without any real permission. Now don't be confused, though I was riding the horse, it was the horse who took me for a ride.

She was a good horse. She'd stop and go on command but the rest was up to were she wanted to go, which consisted mainly of going back and fourth between the other horses that were somewhat spread out. She tried to trot, but with my experience on horses, if they are agitated and go faster, they'll buck. I only rode her for roughly 10 minutes. I would have loved to have continued, but I felt I'd been pressing my luck. We decided to go see puppies instead!

We told the other family about my short ride and they were nothing but impressed and asking how I liked the ride. The horse I road is a Tennessee Walker, which means they naturally have a more smooth gate (walk, trot, gallop). I told them I didn't trot and they said she was fine for that. So the next morning before Steven and I left for home, I went out for one final ride. I didn't force her to trot, but she did a little on her own. She even spooked herself by getting to close to the wire. I got a few seconds of a Gallop before she halted to my," WHOA!" and I slid into her neck. It was exciting, but she really was a good horse. Never bucked and was patient with my less than graceful getting on her that morning. I do think she was testing me that morning too because she paced more fervently between the horses, turning suddenly, and getting as close to the fence and other horses in what I assume to be her seeing how skilled of a rider I was. I just enjoyed the ride she took me for and hope I'll get to see her again :)