Salvation by horse

"Where in this wide world can man find nobility without pride,
Friendship without envy,
Or beauty without vanity?
Here, where grace is served with muscle
And strength by gentleness confined
He serves without servility; he has fought without enmity.
There is nothing so powerful, nothing less violent.
There is nothing so quick, nothing more patient.
England's past has been borne on his back.
All our history is in his industry.
We are his heirs, he our inheritance."  Ronald Duncan


I have always loved this poem. I have always loved horses.

Ever since I was this big... maybe smaller!!

There have been only a couple of points in my life when I have not been involved with horses in one way or another; these are times I can reflect on now and realise they were not the happiest of times. In fact it was only recently that someone told me the moment I get in the saddle I immediately look happier. It's true, I may not be the best of riders but something about riding calms me, especially riding out. It gives me time to think and reflect whilst satisfying my need to move... oh and the rush of speed!! I mean cars etc obviously go faster but I don't think you feel it in the same way; when the horse is part of you and you can feel the muscle move underneath you it is as if you are running at that speed. Pounding hooves, the wind in your face and a sense of freedom; like I said I love it!

Since September I have been riding for a lovely lady with some beautiful horses. She has taught me to carriage drive, allowed me to ride her Andalusian dressage horse, taken me to a classic riding stables and the races for the first time (racing being something I'd never been involved in before). However most of all, and this might sound strange to some, she has loaned me a big black monkey of horse called Ramba. He is 16 and experienced in making trouble, for example letting himself out of his stable, chasing the geese around the yard and then standing on the muck heap effectively laughing at you when you can't catch him again. I love him though and have spent a few months working with him now getting him fitter and importantly enjoying a sense of achievement and freedom. 

It has been a stressful time and there has been a lot for me to consider but Ramba has helped me do it. I ride everyday I can and count my blessings for the time I have now when I am healthy enough to do so. In fact I'll probably ride long past a time when I need to be tied on. Ramba is a arse sometimes but I think he knows when not to play the fool; maybe when he needs to look after me, take some of the weight as it were.

I think in my rambling way I am trying to say that if you love something then do it, and do it as much as you can. Don't waste life on mediocre, grasp it with both hands and embrace what makes you happy! Don't worry what others think; other people wouldn't ride a troublemaker like Ramba but he makes me happy so why should I care what others would do? Right now I am going to focus on whatever makes me happy.