Lazy J Bar C

Lazy J Bar C

Thursday, May 17, 2012

On Being a Cowgirl


I've never claimed to be a Cowgirl but Jerry says I am one now. My horse bucked me off yesterday. Do you ever do things that you might not really want to do to make others happy? Like my foray into skydiving a few years ago because the fella I was dating was really, really into it.

I had quit riding horses a couple of years ago because I had decided I was getting too old to get hurt. I didn't grow up riding horses and I am certainly not a very skilled or confident rider. We went out with Jerry's friend, Joe, yesterday and every time Dallas lagged behind he would trot to catch up. He even threw a little fit once when Jerry tried to take Paco off a little ways, throwing his head, trying to run over to them, pawing the ground. He is spoiled and he gets mad when he doesn't get his way. We were riding down a wash, almost back to the barn, I was following Joe and when he went around some trees and Dallas couldn't see him anymore, he went to bucking. I'm just glad it was a nice sandy wash! LOL!! Nothing is broken but my back is pretty sore and scraped up where I landed. Thank goodness for leftover pain pills.

At 53, I'm not really interested in taking riding lessons, which Joe strongly suggested so that I would become more confident and to learn how to control my horse. He says that Dallas is a good horse but that he knew he could get away with bad behavior because I haven't learned the proper way to control him to stay safe. Oh, I did get back on and rode him the rest of the way back to the barn. And then, to add insult to injury, I dropped my little Canon point and shoot into the water trough when we stopped to water the horses so I don't even have any pictures to share. The picture above is from last week when we rode out by the movie set.

I know I want to be a Farmgirl...I'm just not so sure about the whole Cowgirl thingy anymore. Linking up with Lisa and Nancy for Rural Thursday.

18 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i can totally relate to this. i'm old enough not to want any broken bones - and started riding later in life. gave it up a few years back as i just wasn't any good at it, even tho i wanted to be.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

I have a horse that is an occasional bucker. I don't trust him enough to ever completely give him his head. But I've had him since he was little, so I know him pretty well and it's been years since he got me off. That said, I wouldn't be surprised to find myself on the ground one day. It's no fun looking up!

Anonymous said...

I would definitely say it's important to match the horse and rider. If you want to ride, you need a horse that is well broke and not going to challenge you. It makes a huge difference.

Marigold said...

The Goatmother grew up with horses. So when she moved here, she desperately wanted to get a horse again - she even still has the saddle that her mother had hand-made for here as a teenager. Alas, when she thought about age+falls, she decided against that. But it's all good because that is why she now has goats! Sorry you are sore, but what a very neat picture of you up there in that saddle! You go, Cowgirl!!!

TxFarmhouse said...

Ohhh, I can relate too...I'll be 60 this Saturday and still ride with the chance of getting thrown...or, like a dummy, just fell off! year before last. Now, how's that for embarassment? But I love my horses and I love riding.
Berte

Michelle said...

I am with you there. My husband wants to get horses when we move back home. I have ridden horses before,but they can cause pain. Like running you into barb wire as well as bucking you off. Memories I don't enjoy.

Susan said...

That's one of the biggest things I miss about being young - thinking I was immortal. Now that I know I'm not, I am more inclined to save my body parts so I can last a couple more decades. But there is just something about a horse...that said, I agree with Edenhills. It is important to match the rider with the horse.

Tanya Breese said...

oh gosh, that is scary! i'm so glad you weren't hurt badly! i've always loved horses but growing up in san diego, it wasn't really an option lol...when we moved away in 2001 (i wanted to raise the kids in a better place) we were able to get a horse and his name was Bucky...not a great name for a horse lol....I was never a really confident rider and I didn't really care to ride a lot, I just loved him, to be able to pet him and see him. We sold him recently to a very skilled rider who is going to use him for barrel racing and stuff like that. I have decided that next I just want a miniature horse since I don't care about the riding portion, just want a beautiful horse to pet lol...they are such gorgeous creatures!

Candy C. said...

Teresa and Susan,
If I'm going to match the horse with MY skills, I'd better get one that takes quarters like the one outside of Wal-Mart!! LOL!!

Marigold,
I'm all for more goats, they are a LOT safer! ;~)

Michelle,
Yeah, I can do without the pain!

Tanya,
I really do like Dallas and love to groom him and have him come up to me when I go out in the pasture but I just don't care about the riding anymore either.

Tombstone Livestock said...

I can feel your pain, I haven't riden but once since I was 13 and thrown but a well trained cow horse belonging to a relative. I leaned away from fence and horse took off in that direction. But, have 5 daughter's now in their 40's to 50's all ride, excellent riders too. Started them out bareback on nasty little shetland ponies, bareback gave them good balance, none of them ever gave up. All still have horses today. I have 2 ponies and a donkey, but just for live yard art.

Pat said...

Well, you look good in the saddle!

Evelyn S. said...

I grew up riding horses....but when I moved away after college to start teaching, I got to ride only a handful of times afterwards. Now it's 45 years later, and I would LOVE to ride again. However, I believe sensibility will win out....plus the knowledge that I have a new artificial hip and osteoporosis. Too much risk, I fear. I do admire you for getting back on after getting dumped....Dallas needs some good riding. ;-)

Shaun said...

Im glad you were not hurt bad. I had our Welsh Cob buck me off a few years back when he was spooked by an owl doing a fly by. As they are silent in flight he saw it but didnt hear it. All 18 hands of him decided to throw me about like a rag doll.

Have a "more relaxing" weekend.

Shaun Valleys ShutterBug

LindaG said...

I've done some things to please someone else - went hunting with hubby - but there are things I would never do for someone.
You have my respect for jumping out of a plane.

Hope you heal quickly. *hugs* ♥

Alica said...

Good for you...to get back on that horse...and glad you're ok! I had a bad experience with a horse when I was a girl...she reared and fell when a pheasant flew up in her face as we were running. I never did get over my fear. Yes, I got on again, but never really trusted a horse ever since.

larkspur funny farm said...

I know what you mean - the animals we love can without meaning to really pack some hurt on us - I look at it this way if I am not upright and healthy they don't get the care they need - so it is O.K. to protect yourself first. Soak those bones, a stiff drink and a heating pad are in order.

Nancy said...

It's a part of getting older, I guess, to realize our limitations. Which really sucks if you are young at heart! I admire you for getting back on the horse, and glad you were not hurt.

Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week. :)

A Colorful World said...

I am so sorry you were bucked off, Candy! Glad nothing is broken, and I sure hope you are mending well and having a great weekend. I can't see your photo because there is something going on with my computer. Some pictures come up, and others don't! It's so annoying! But, I sure bet getting "throwed" wasn't any fun! Skydiving...oh my, now that's something I really wouldn't want to try! I've always wanted to repel down rock faces, but I think because there is a rope attached I feel like that would be safer. :-)