I used to spend time a lot in the horse stables when I was young. I liked to go fast and the bigger the horse or the pony was the better it was. I felt that nothing was beyond me.
I was excited to go the trainings every week and I went there regualry whether the northern wind was blowing or the sun was shining. Depending on the season we either trained inside in the mane or outside. I was young and interested in horses and I never seemed to be scared of anything. I trotted and we did a little bit of all kinds of excerices.
We had two horses when I was young. One was warm-blooded horse and another one was a Finnish horse.
I started riding with the little shetland ponies and then I eventually got a very tall warm blooded horse. And then there was Nikke. Nikke and I had pretty spicy relationship as he was as he looked like; very punk.
I feel very sad that I dont have any pictures of me in those times. But afterall- it was not social media time yet.
When googling- this was the closest I could find to match with Nikke. As mentioned he was as spicy as he looked like. Some trainings it was so enjoyable with him and the others not so much. He LOVED to throw me out of his back. It always started with kicking then he started throwing his bum and almost always it ended me getting eat the earth beneath.
I still dont know why we had this kind of relationship. But after the first time I just got myself together and you know what they say- once you fell from horses back you get back there so you dont get scared. Gladly Nikke wasnt the biggest horse- eventhough he wasnt either the smallest one.
After that fell down I went to the horse shop and I bought a safety west. Next time I was well equipped and ready to go. From that moment on I can not even remember how many times I fell during the next year. You really would thought that after couple of fells you would know how to avoid it. But I can quarantee you- I did everything to keep myself in Nikkes back in the beginning. I was squeesing my hands and we went from time to time SO FAST that nowadays if this would happen I would only be only a soulless little puddle on the floor. I felt most of the time more riding like a bull than a pony or horse.
I still wonder why he was like that. Maybe it was his personality. Maybe it was about me. But from time to time we had WONDERFUL time together. I also ponder a lot why did not the teacher do anything to it. I always got Nikke. And finally after once again I came with somersault 360 degrees straight in the middle of nikkes ears to the ground I got discouraged. The lessons got a little bit too hard for me. And from that one time- when I started to feel that he started to act up I voluntarily fell already. This continued solid couple of months. So riding horses turned really quicky from happily riding and learning cool tricks to doing involuntarily circus tricks. Weekly. In every lesson.
Until it was enough.
I still remember clearly when my dad was picking me up and I had again fell down from the horse. I had all this equiptment on me and it was Saturday day and bloody cold one in Kokkola. I didnt cry but I can still feel the tickling in the back of my throat. I said I think I dont want to go to the stables anymore. And that was it. I didnt want to give up my hobby but I definitely didnt want to fall anymore not even once. And I knew I had to ride Nikke if I went. And so I said good bye to my dear hobby.
It has been around 15 years.
Couple of years ago I started to think I want to go to try again. I tried to find million different ways to get into classes in Estonia but I couldnt. Finally a year later I did. And let me tell you I was so scared. For our first lesson we went already to the woods and I couldnt think anything because I was completely frozen with fear. And it was all for nothing.
Slowly I started to regain my love and trust to horses. These horses and ponys are lovable. They are kind and it is very healing to ride with them. Especially Oscar. I love him. And I love riding. It is the very best way of relaxation. I dont know anything more relaxing than going to the beach with the horse and just enjoying the time.
A long before Nikke there was a horse with very similar energy than Oscar. He was called Classic. He was the biggest- the most kindest horse and I loved him. I rode him every time before he was sold and I still think about him a lot. Oscar reminds me of him a lot. And it is very healing.
Anyway. I promised you the story of me and horseback riding. Here it is and I hope you enjoyed.
toodaloo,
Tara Who.
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