Bucket List Cross Off – I RODE A HORSE!!!

Shoulda been a cowboy…

My entire life I wanted to ride a horse.  When I was younger I used to BEG my parents for horseback riding lessons, I remember being about 8 and drawing up a “formal” proposal to have said lessons.  (Remember when I said I was a weird kid?  What eight year old hands their parents a business proposal?)  Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the cards as the expense was too great (which I totally understand and do not hold against my parents, in fact looking back now I wish I hadn’t begged them so much as I didn’t want them to feel bad that they couldn’t afford it.)  As a little girl, my Mom had a scary experience watching a rider lose control of a horse and I think that helped cement in her mind she didn’t want us to ride, so she used to keep us away from any pony ride at fairs, etc, which I can understand as well.  She said she knew I always knew I loved the horses as anytime there was a horse around I would be like “OHHH a HORSE!!!” and off I would bolt. Happy Rolphs’ has long been since one of my favourite places to visit, mostly because of the horses.  Needless to say, to “Ride a Horse” was added to my formal bucket list.

As an adult, the opportunity to ride a horse had never come up, until this summer, Groupon was my hero!  There was an hour horse-back trail ride for $19 a person or 2 people for $39 at Whispering Winds Equestrian Centre (it even sounds perfect, no?).  THEY STILL HAVE THE DEAL RUNNING!!!  They don’t expire until next summer, so buys ome now!  Buy them for a gift!  Buy multiples!!!  (Spoiler alert:  As you read this entry further, you will see that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS HORSEBACK RIDING TRAILRIDE EXPERIENCE AT WHISPERING WINDS!!!)  I emailed them stating I have never been on a horse, ever, and asked if this would be a good fit for me; YES they said.  I called my sister and she said of course she would accompany me on this bucket list cross off!  (While she has been on a trail ride once in her life, I was excited to have her accompany me on this as I feel my bucket list items are far more fun and meaningful to cross off while being accompanied by my favourite people.)

 

 

We called and scheduled about two weeks ago, however the day came and it was pouring rain.  For your safety and the horses’ safety they do not ride them in the rain.  As an animal lover this made me respect Whispering Winds, as I wanted to make sure wherever I was going that the horses were well taken care of and treated with respect. Whispering Winds truly made me feel comfortable that their horses were well taken care of and that they were loved and treated great.

We rescheduled for Friday evening, the last ride of the day.  It was perfect.  The last day of summer had a beautiful fall like feel.  The leaves were starting to change and there was a nice breeze.

We drove my sister’s truck as “it felt more countryish.”  Tim McGraw was selected as the mood music, because I guess that’s just the Cowboy in us.  We arrived 15 minutes early as per their request.   We were greeted by the official people greeter; this sweetie pie knew we were dog people and seemed keen on us spending our whole visit with her.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get her name but we had a rousing game of fetch and then we went to find the horses. 

Our guide Sarah greeted us and had us outfitted with a helmet.  This also made me feel much more comfortable as when my sister had her trail ride down in Arizona and she was put on a horse, having never ridden before, WITHOUT a helmet, which would have scared the crap out of me.  Thank goodness Whispering Winds made us feel as safe as we possibly could.

While we waited for our horses, I have to admit: I started to get nervous.  Last week a co-worker felt the need to share a few whacky horse experiences he had growing up.  Unfortunately, these thoughts started to pop in my head.  (I am an overly-analytical, neurotic head case.)  They gave us the safety instructions and “driving” instructions, how to stop, go, turn, how to hold the reins, etc. We were told for safety reasons we couldn’t bring our cameras, which is understandable.  I was actually starting to question how I would take a picture and hold the reins anyways.

Mick

When my horse arrived I forgot to ask any questions about him.  I was just in awe.  His name was Mick, as in Mickey Mouse.  Mick was stunning.  He was a big, tall brown horse with white and black socks.  Our guide helped me to get up, and my fear of heights kicked in a bit.  (I can’t even climb a ladder.)  My sister’s horse was named Karma, he had the most interesting coat, it was sort of greyish gold.  Unfortunately we didn’t get a picture of him, but Karma was stunning as well.  As we started walking I debated asking to turn back (This was solely my fear of heights, I am a big chicken, and honestly I panic too much about little things).  But after about 20 feet I realized Mick knew what he was doing.  I didn’t have to do anything.  Never having sat in a saddle I kept thinking I was going to tip off, but I didn’t.  In fact I got quite comfortable.  Mick made me look like I was an accomplished horsewomen, but he did all of the work.

Our caravan had our guide in the lead, (her horse farted a few times, I am immature and thought this was aboslutely hilarious; of course horses fart, I just never heard one)  then a couple from St.Catharines, then me, then my sister and then an additional employee who brought up the rear.  I felt very safe and glad they had an additional, experienced rider behind us as she was able to give helpful instructions along the way.  The horse in front of me kept trying to have snacks along the way; thankfully Mick was able to stop on a dime as I wasn’t expecting the horse in front of me to come to a stop.  Mick knew what he was doing.

They took us along a beautiful field, and a pond trimmed with cat tails, golden rod, purple loosestrife and oaks starting to change to their fiery red.  We travelled around another field and then we went through a bit of a wooded area.  I kept wishing I had my camera, it offered breathtaking views.  We went around another two fields and then the sun started to set and I looked back at my sister and the instructor with the sun behind them, you couldn’t make out the riders but man it would have made for an amazing picture.  I embedded that shot in my brain.  On our way back to the barn we rounded a wooded area and there were 5 deer!  I don’t know why this excited me so much as I see deer at my parent’s house all the time, but it was just so peaceful and beautiful that it really added to the ambiance.  The deer just stared and horses just glanced at them, the horses didn't care as much as we did.  Jokingly, I asked our guide if she hired them to show up, she laughed and said they come out most evenings at that time.  It was a perfect way to end my first ever horse back ride.

Handsome Mick

When we got back to the barn they instructed us on how to dismount.  I was still in awe of Mick but finally remembered to ask some questions about him.  Mick is 19 years old and he was a national jumper; he jumps like eight foot fences and loves to jump.  The guide said he was suppose to be her horse but he loves children and he loves to teach so she put him in with her lesson horses and her trail horses.  I asked what type of horse he was, he was a Dutch something, I can’t hear very well. 

 

Thanks to Mick, Karma and the Whispering Winds Equestrian Centre, my sister and I were all smiles when we got back in the truck to drive home.  We kept marvelling what a perfect time of day it was, perfect time of year and what a great time we had.

What an amazing bucket list cross off!  I am so glad we bought that Groupon, even if my arse is still sore this morning!  :)