Thursday, June 21, 2012

Horseback Riding

Even though you may have thought that was the last you would hear from me, you thought wrong.  I am filled with a new fire of hope, after recently reading how many people were there for me at my darkest hour. 

So here I go again with this blog...today's topic:  horseback riding.  This is something I have been doing at REACH Therapeutic Riding Center on Saturdays (at Camp Hope).  Horseback riding is very helpful with your balance.  It also strengthens a speech muscle in your back (I heard that somewhere).  Makes sense as I've been making more unintentional and even some intentional sounds lately, but that's for a whole other post.  I mostly ride a horse named Simon.  In fact, I would like to thank Simon and all the nice people that work at REACH.  They say I have such a natural instinct for riding.  Everyone at Camp Hope is so nice. 

Horseback riding is great for your abdominals as well as balance and coordination.  All of this is supremely beneficial for me because it really helps me to regain my feet again.  You won't believe how far I have come on walking.  Fate (or whatever you want to call it) thought it could hold this mammoth down, but this titan was never faced with a challenge that couldn't be broken with a little GO attitude. 

Let's bring it on back to the matter at hand which is horseback riding.  At all times I have a group of people surrounding me.  For safety reasons, they do all they can to keep me on the horse.  And that, if you've ever ridden a horse, can be difficult with how much they move.  It's almost like riding a bucking bronco sometimes, but that doesn't scare me!;)  It's an epic adventure always.  And so awesome for my balance issues. 

Like I said, the nice people at REACH think I'm a natural at riding a horse - almost like a fish.  Mostly like a fish that has refound water.  So, REACH realized I should be the one representing them in a horse show.  I got first and second place, how about them apples?  This is something I've never done competitively, but still got awards.  I am thankful for this place helping me to reach my goals.

Last, horseback riding is really great for your six pack.  IF you can handle that kind of attention from the ladies, then try it.  ha;)