Les and I went to Uwharrie National Forrest to trail ride today with some folk we know. Les has rode with them many times, this was my second time.
Friday afternoon Les and I gave Tuff and Goodnight baths. They were so dirty that was the only way to clean them up. Then we blanketed them and put them in their nice clean stalls. (Thank you Amanda!)
I awoke at 6:00 AM and got ready. I layered and layered! (turned out it was a very wise decision!)
We tacked up at home and loaded the horses onto the trailer along with Abilene and BOO, and off we went! But first we stopped at Ricks in Denton for some breakfast. Then onto Uwharrie where we met our riding companions.
We unloaded and hit the trail at 10:00 AM…There were 5 of us total.
It was a beautiful March day! Windy, sun shinning , cool, and Wonderful!!!!!!!! I was on my horse Les was with me , and had two of my dogs to enjoy the wonders of God’s creation!!
Okay lets back up for a moment…Did I mention I was nervous? Every time I go for a long extended time without being on horseback I am extremely concerned…
Now I know my horse is fine, I KNOW that! I know I am fine! But there lurks that “special fear” that I have had since I was 5 and got hurt by my pony, and was in hospital for 3 days! So when I say to my fearful riding students I understand I really do!I go through my mind all the reasons I know I am okay, but until I put my foot in that stirrup and my leg over that horse and take those first steps, I am not okay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you know what? That is OKAY!
The desire/need to ride a horse is as keen in my spirit as the need to eat is to my body! And more pleasure ! Riding is a rhythm, a feeling, a connection with the horse and the universe that God has created… It is magical! Powerful, fun, and yes I am poorly equipped to describe what it is to me….Did I mention the smell of the horse, of leather, the woods, the fresh air?
So I put my foot in the stirrup and my leg across Tuff. I settle in and feel my seat, and ahh it is like Grandma’s house, or home! Where I was meant to be!!!!!!!!!!! I can feel the nervousness start to leave…The calm and good start to flow into my mind and body. From the reins and my seat into my whole being! Silly silly Kay! And now I am fine! It is all done with! LETS GO!!!!!!!!
Today we rode for 6 hours, over some of the roughest parts of the forest. I was getting pretty tired not having ridden since last October…I am sure Tuff was tired! Then Abilene in amazing shape having weaned puppies 4 weeks ago was doing great! As was BOO (our energizer Bunny Girl!) They were loving it!
We arrived back at the trailer and I untacked my horse loaded him on the trailer, along with Goodnight, then Abilene and BOO. Home we headed with a stop at Ricks for supper! I was hungry!
Got home cleaned stalls and fed the animals, watered and looked at emails, and I fell into the bed at 7:30 PM! (it is now 4:30 AM I am awake!) Imagine that!
But at 1:30 AM I awoke and thought” OH NO! DID I SHUT THE SHEEP STALL DOOR?” NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Oh no please Lord let them be okay!!!!! I flew out the house to the barn as my heart sank they were NOT in their stall!!!!!!!!!I had driven the gator to feed and I was so tired, I had opened the gate to the field they had gone up while I fed the ducks in the field, and hung out waiting for me to led them into their stall as I all ways do! I drove the Gator to the shop parked it and went to the house!!!Poor things such creatures of habit, had not gone in or if they had they did not stay! So I turned all the outside lights on and then called Sheep! Sheep!! Sheep!!! and here they came bouncing happily! (Now that they had been remembered!) In they went! ALL is well!!!!! What a terrible shepherd I am! This will never happen again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay to add to my bad, I had not even fed my dogs!!!
This is what happens when I tend to my own needs first! I was no longer hungry, so it was easy to forget about my duties to my animals….and go to sleep!
I plan to start riding more now the weather is better! Looking forward to that! And to the baby lambs that are on their way! OH, and have I mentioned Amarillo is expecting puppies the 28th of April???!!!! Yes Drover/Amarillo Puppies are expected!!!!!
