because my weekdays are usually swamped with things that involves computers, being stuck in a building which restricts me from enjoying the sun and fresh air - i made it a point to drive away from the city life during the weekend to treat myself to what id call my most favorite playtime these days.
i signed up for horse riding lessons. something i've always wanted to do since donkey years ago. if you've been keeping track of me from the days back when i was usually glued to the walls or rocks, i had to actually choose between riding, or climbing.
it was a tough decision,really. i chose climbing instead back then. it was more economical. cheaper in many ways, and i could do it almost everyday - usually right after classes, and it helped a lot more when i started working at the indoor gym in One Utama, at camp5. i miss being a marshall. i miss those walls.
but alhamdulillah, fast forward, i finally am given the chance to do the next best thing i've always wanted. and this time - in another country.
unlike other sundays, today the riding school had a special guest. a miniature horse called Ella. she was super tiny and cute, and had to be kept at the backyard since the girls were busy riding as all lessons were done for the day. i'm not sure how old she is, but she kept pushing her head into my bum while i was busy talking to ty and jm. friendly girl she was.
meet princess tula. i had her for my first few lessons, then they changed me on granite - whom i terribly miss at the moment. tula is the school's favorite. she's white, and all princessy, a fav too among the young riders, but she has one big problem. she can be a tad bit lazy. i remembered how it was super difficult to get her to walk faster. i swear she fell asleep halfway during the walks i did with her. she cuts corners like no tomorrow. and i guess i'm not much of a help either as i don't usually like to use the whip on them, but after being told by the girls that it doesn't actually hurt them at all - i finally used them once or twice.
my legs aren't that strong yet. i have problems trying to kick her to go faster. but once she started trotting, all was good until she decided to canter instead. it was always at this particular turn in the arena that she will start cantering, and all of a sudden i felt like i was thrown higher into the air.
no i didnt fall. i just felt like it was higher than usual. ctlyn - my instructor, took my stirrups away. wanted me to get used to placing both of my legs firmly into her and get my balance right. i felt my thighs cramping, but it was a good ride nonetheless. felt like i worked my leg muscles - which was a good feeling. all was good trotting without the stirrups until little miss tula decided to canter which became a bit scarier, but i got it all under control - i think.
the thing i love most is the fact that i could set the horse up myself when i arrive at the school. usually i'd come just in time for classes but i made it a point to come earlier these days, so i could put the saddle on myself, the stirrups, the reigns - which is always a tricky part cos you had to like push your fingers through the horse's mouth so it would go in and quickly move your fingers away before they bite.
its so weird but i like the fact that at the end of the day i get all sweaty and smell like them. i wouldnt say that they stink. stink is a strong word.well, they just smell funny. i like that smell on me at the end of the day, cos it feels like i've finally accomplished something. haha.
they say that every one will experience a fall someday. im not looking forward to that one, but i hope i won't have to. but thats the thing with them, you can never tell if you caught them in a good day or bad day. sometimes they get all funny over strong winds , they spook and probably will want to try and throw you off them.
- have you fell off a horse before?
" uhmm..yeahhh..i broke a rib before, but then it was okay, i almost broke my arm the other day, but alls good, "
she was 9 years old by the way.
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