Lessons Learned Falling Off Horses

After I sent out the latest newsletter, I got several reprimands because people could not find the blog about the second fall...I realized I had written it in my journal but not on the web...so here it is.

From the Cut Foot Sioux Horse Camp (MN), we rode out about a mile.  JoyFull was on high alert and had already spooked a couple of times.  I was riding defensively—one hand on her neck with the rein in a California roll and the other holding on to the fork of the saddle.  The trail was 6-10 feet wide but surrounded by thick fall forest.  (Think crackling noises and constant motion in the trees/leaves.)  JoyFull stepped across a small down tree and as she made the step forward with her hind foot,

it struck a small limb sticking out of the tree.  This caused the opposite end of the tree to jump. 

JoyFull leaped straight up in the air throwing me forward and slightly to the left.  I caught myself on her neck with my right hand and thought that I might right myself without hitting the ground, but she then pulled/spooked backwards (probably from me hanging off her neck) and I finished the fall—hard!—to the ground.  I landed squarely on my back and royally knocked the wind out of me!

Dave was alarmed when I could not respond to his query…I could only wave my hand as I gasped for breath.  When I could finally breathe again, I slowly rolled over and did a body check.  Though I could tell my back and tailbone (again!) was going to be sore, nothing was broken.

As we rode back to camp, I thought long and hard about whether it was a good idea for me to be riding such a young, athletic horse.  (Two hard falls in a little over two weeks.)  Part of me said, “No!” I shouldn’t…I should park the horses and just enjoy traveling and Dave.  Another part of me realizes I have not given JoyFull prior and proper preparation.  She still has less than 50 hours riding.  This was her first trail ride in deep woods and I only warmed her up a little on line. (Although in the open, she seemed fine—better than Treasure even.)

After I rested and journaled for a while, Dave and I talked about “what if's” and realized that all of life is a risk.  We don’t want to be foolish or paranoid.  I suggested I trade JoyFull for something older and more solid; but--to my surprise--Dave said he didn’t believe God brought her into my life to trade her.

Sometimes, it is easier to think about the safe, quiet road, especially as we/I get older.  It is time to take it easy, right?  Leave the hard stuff to kids, right? 

When I used to have an office, I had a poster that said:  

LIFE

 is not meant to be

 a journey to the grave in

 a pretty and well preserved body,

 but rather a skid into heaven broadside, 

thoroughly used up and

 totally worn out 

and loudly proclaiming,

 "WOW! WHAT A RIDE!"

So I prayed:  Lord, help me to keep on keeping on.  Show me why this filly is in my life and please keep us both safe!