Harleys & Horses
Starting off with a Tumble
A little background
I began riding a horse 4+ years ago when I was over 40 years old. From the first day of riding a horse, I became hooked on the challenge of building a relationship, learning the technical skills to ride, and having a whole lot of fun.
Now, I love the outdoors and am fairly athletic. I've run 2 marathons, have owned more Harleys than I care to admit, and know am hooked on the horse thing.
I started off right -- starting my lessons with a Parelli professional (Linda Green). I worked with Linda for 2 years. Then, I switched to Dressage and began working with Terri Kemp. Both have very different styles (more on that in a future blog).
I've had my share of mishaps with the horse in these 4+ years but have never sustained too serious of an injury (knock on wood). Why? Because many years ago, I learned to take a fall.
Learning to take a fall
In 1987 I began riding my Harley Davidson and again, took lessons right out of the gate. And, one of the most valuable ones was on how to take a fall from a moving motorcycle -- tuck & roll. The body is in it's most defensive posture when it's in the fetal position. And, when you have momentum involved, you're far less likely to sustain a serious injury when you can roll with the momentum. If you don't roll with momentum you just drop with a "thud" on the ground.
It's easier than it sounds...
My first serious fall from a horse came in October of 2007. I was riding a young filly owned by a friend of mine. She was lightening quick and I was just, well... unprepared. She jigged left and then right and then left and I was gone.
The brunt of this fall landed on my right hip. I didn't tuck. I didn't roll. I had MASSIVE brusing. By "massive" think from your armpit to your kneecap on the right side. Black -- yes, black and not purple.
I didn't ride a horse or a Harley for 4 weeks.
This time was better
Well, if there ever can be a "better" when coming off of a 1200 pound moving animal this was it. Cinco (my steadfast Standardbred) and I were out on the trail. We came around a bend and a bush. Heard a little rustle under the bush, I turned to look and Cinco didn't. He freaked and took off like a lightening bolt -- not really caring what was under that bush.
Now I must say, Cinco -- love him as I do -- isn't the most elegant horse. He's a 17h and *long* bodied Standardbred who made his career pulling sulky cart. So, when he bolted, it became an uncoordinated movement that went back to his roots -- HUGE bold strides with none of the 4-feet operating together.
And then he jumped 3 bushes -- and Cinco doesn't jump
I came off of Cinco on the third bush. But, I'd had 2 others to plan my exit. So, when it happened, I landed on my right foot and was already pretty well tucked. And, this time, rather than "thudding" into a halt, I rolled with the momentum. I'm not injury free, but far less serious this time. Cuts & scrapes on the right elbow and hip. And, my right ribcage is sore from hitting a rock during the roll. But, no real bruising. Just a little stiffness.
This time I think I'll be able to ride again in a week -- I hope.
More soon. Barb
I began riding a horse 4+ years ago when I was over 40 years old. From the first day of riding a horse, I became hooked on the challenge of building a relationship, learning the technical skills to ride, and having a whole lot of fun.
Now, I love the outdoors and am fairly athletic. I've run 2 marathons, have owned more Harleys than I care to admit, and know am hooked on the horse thing.
I started off right -- starting my lessons with a Parelli professional (Linda Green). I worked with Linda for 2 years. Then, I switched to Dressage and began working with Terri Kemp. Both have very different styles (more on that in a future blog).
I've had my share of mishaps with the horse in these 4+ years but have never sustained too serious of an injury (knock on wood). Why? Because many years ago, I learned to take a fall.
Learning to take a fall
In 1987 I began riding my Harley Davidson and again, took lessons right out of the gate. And, one of the most valuable ones was on how to take a fall from a moving motorcycle -- tuck & roll. The body is in it's most defensive posture when it's in the fetal position. And, when you have momentum involved, you're far less likely to sustain a serious injury when you can roll with the momentum. If you don't roll with momentum you just drop with a "thud" on the ground.
It's easier than it sounds...
My first serious fall from a horse came in October of 2007. I was riding a young filly owned by a friend of mine. She was lightening quick and I was just, well... unprepared. She jigged left and then right and then left and I was gone.
The brunt of this fall landed on my right hip. I didn't tuck. I didn't roll. I had MASSIVE brusing. By "massive" think from your armpit to your kneecap on the right side. Black -- yes, black and not purple.
I didn't ride a horse or a Harley for 4 weeks.
This time was better
Well, if there ever can be a "better" when coming off of a 1200 pound moving animal this was it. Cinco (my steadfast Standardbred) and I were out on the trail. We came around a bend and a bush. Heard a little rustle under the bush, I turned to look and Cinco didn't. He freaked and took off like a lightening bolt -- not really caring what was under that bush.
Now I must say, Cinco -- love him as I do -- isn't the most elegant horse. He's a 17h and *long* bodied Standardbred who made his career pulling sulky cart. So, when he bolted, it became an uncoordinated movement that went back to his roots -- HUGE bold strides with none of the 4-feet operating together.
And then he jumped 3 bushes -- and Cinco doesn't jump
I came off of Cinco on the third bush. But, I'd had 2 others to plan my exit. So, when it happened, I landed on my right foot and was already pretty well tucked. And, this time, rather than "thudding" into a halt, I rolled with the momentum. I'm not injury free, but far less serious this time. Cuts & scrapes on the right elbow and hip. And, my right ribcage is sore from hitting a rock during the roll. But, no real bruising. Just a little stiffness.
This time I think I'll be able to ride again in a week -- I hope.
More soon. Barb
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