.....ever get on a horse again! For anyone who doesn't know, this one time competition groom and horse owner has arthritis in hand, hip, knee and foot. And when my old horse died six years ago I thought that was that. We do have a horse now, but thanks to rough handling by several dealers, he is all but unrideable.....and certainly not by an arthritic overweight 52 year old or her novice husband.
However, a new horse has just arrived on the yard, an ex trekking horse, and is in Murphy's field.
This is Roxy with Murphy (though I am not sure why a shire cross has a rug on in the middle of "summer")
And her owner said I could have a go to see if I can get on. And I did! It wasn't elegant, but I did it (dreadful saddle didn't help) and very emotional I felt too, amazing. Luckily Roxy is not a plod so easy enough to get going, but safe and forgiving. Getting off was even worse than getting on, and trotting is not on, she throws you around a lot which really hurts my knees.
But I did it, and even have a photo, and I don't normally allow photos. Got a video too, and it was nice to see me relaxed on a horse.
Here's a photo.
Have to say she carried me well, despite the saddle being extremely heavy.
It may seem a bit of an odd thing to get excited about, but I am!