A Grand Adventure

Yesterday morning, before sunrise,
I headed to the barn for morning chores.

Cleaning stalls, dry lots, and chicken houses...
feeding horses, cats, chickens, ducks...
changing water buckets, cleaning water tubs...
by the time I was half way through my list of chores,
the sun was rising on the horizon.


The oranges and pinks were soon replaced by a beautiful blue-skied autumn day.


It was the perfect day for an adventure.
And that was just what we had planned for the day.

Moonbeam and I were going to hitch a ride in Dr. Becky's trailer with Sid
and set out for a trail ride about 30 minutes away
at a beautiful place nestled at the base of the mountains
called Camp Hebron.


Here we would join about 25 other riders for a two hour ride up the mountain, 
through the woods,
across streams,
around a lake...
through all sorts of terrain.


What is remarkable about this trip, though,
is that it was Moonbeam's first time leaving the farm since his arrival
four years ago.
It was the first time he has loaded onto a trailer in all that time.
And I must say he did so in a most gentlemanly fashion.

Because it was his first public ride, I had a friend, who is a much better rider than I,
ride him and I rode one of the camp's horses.
My horse was a small fellow...
much easier to keep between my legs than my portly haflinger, Moonbeam!


You see, riding Moonbeam has been an adventure in itself...
one that I had just returned to several weeks ago
after a lengthy hiatus following a fall and an injury.

Fear can be quite paralyzing, you know.
For the longest time I came up with any excuse I could find to avoid riding....
fearful of injury.
I routinely talked myself out of riding,
telling myself how busy I was and how important all of those tasks were.
After all, wouldn't riding be frivolous when the "to-do" list was so long?
What a silly game I played with myself!

And then one day something changed.
I have no idea what it was...
except for the sudden realization that fear was the only thing standing between 
Moonbeam and I...
and fear is not something tangible,
but a mental edifice built from intangibles...
the "what-ifs" that rarely ever happen.

And so I decided it was time to chip away at that edifice.

With each ride since that pivotal day I have become more and more
confident.
The fear has melted away and been replaced with the joy of
feeling my friend beneath me...
carrying me through one adventure after another!

Yesterday's ride was a huge success.
Moonbeam was willing and well behaved.
The horse I rode increased my confidence level as we
walked and trot and even ran through the forest together.
It was another turning point for me.
There is no turning back now...
My fear is behind me.


What lies ahead for me are more and more adventures
with my trustworthy friend
Moonbeam.

Ps....I took my camera along, but got so involved in riding that I did not take pictures.
Luckily there were camp workers taking pictures at spots along the trail,
so when those pictures are ready, I will post a few for you.

Comments

Anke said…
The first picture is gorgeous Bev!!
It sounds like you had a great time riding yesterday, so glad you "got back on the horse." :-)
Good for you! Riding through such pretty trails sounds wonderful. I have Morgan horses and would love to have such pretty trails. Ours are rather dusty and/or sandy. These days, I am sticking to arena work but long to get back on a trail with some friends.
Dog Trot Farm said…
Good for you for overcoming your fear. It is not always easy to do and at times is simply paralyzing. Moonbeam is a beautiful horse, also too kitty and what a lovely morning sunrise. Have a wonderful day, Julie.
Country Gal said…
Beautifil Moonbeam. My sister has a haflinger named Ziggy he is soo calm and quiet . I read that haflingers are very passive horses and dont spook like other breeds they are great for begginers . I follow a Haflinger site that is run by the breeder and trainer of Haflingers and they are becoming more and more popular for riders who want an easy going calm loving horse. Great post and photos. Hope you get back up there I know I did when ever my pony whom was a Welsh pony and I had a spill. I have been kicked rold on in mid ride western saddle and all broke ribs by landing on a jump as I thought I had him in the right rain to go over the jump he had other ideas and darted to the side and I fell off on to the jump I have been through a lot that would make most say forget it but I was always taught by a friend trainer to always get back up there. Have a wonderful day !
Unknown said…
Moonbeam, what an amazingly beautiful horse. That last picture has captured his spirit.
Anonymous said…
I love the beauty of horses... having been thrown off of them twice in my lifetime I no longer get on them, but I'm glad the riding is going so well for you atop that handsome creature!
Anonymous said…
Moonbeam is very beautiful, glad you back riding!

Linda
Anonymous said…
Moonbeam is very beautiful, glad you back riding!

Linda
Carla said…
Bev, remind me---was Moonbeam the horse you had the wreck on?
So glad you had a good ride. Each time it gets easier.
Debi said…
Moonbeam is beautiful. I think getting another rider was a good idea, yet continuing on with your adventure. Ever since my tib-fib fx with my jack russels, I have been extremely cautious around our horses as well. I know how quickly things can happen and change you forever. Good judgement Bev.
Unknown said…
Congratulations to you and Moonbeam...what a beauty! Can't wait to see the other pictures.
You are giving me encouragement that I really need to take on a horse packing trip when I have only been on a horse twice. It's a year off so I need to lose weight, gain muscle and practice on a horse! Well...it's a goal!
This N That said…
To Moonbeam..Take good care of Bev..She has taken good care of you..Enjoy each other..be safe...