evans36
Nov. 9, 2009, 11:18 PM
Today was my last ride on my OTTB - he's sold for financial reasons. I thought he would be my forever horse, but he's going on to a home that can afford him better. I thought today would really be not that much fun, because of all the emotions in this ride, but I got on and it was a beautiful fall day.
We went on a trail ride. Down the sandy dirt road I stood up to feel my horse's awesome trot, just bridged the reins and let him extend out, snapping his legs and swinging his back. He picked up a canter. Then a hand gallop, then a gallop. It was AWESOME. I figured, what the hell. I've never had the guts to really shorten up my stirrups and try to ride like a race rider, but I figured today was my last shot.
So I jacked my stirrups up as high as they would go, and I stood up, then squatted back down. My horse has been off the track for almost 3 years, but the minute he felt me in that position, he started to get antsy. Then I stood and clucked.
And he just WENT. Put his head down and just rolled like a train. This from an unfit 10 year old... it wasn't Zenyatta, but DAMN. My guy raced for 6 years, so he knew the drill and just went right back to it - it was like, "OK Mom, I can finally do my job now!" He even kicked his heels and gave me a couple lead changes. I can't stop grinning. I think my last ride on this horse was the best ever, because I let him go back to what he was bred to be!
I posted this on the racing forum because I lurk here, and I thought about COTH when I made the decision to jack up those stirrups. I am hooked on OTTB's, and now I know why!!
Thanks guys, for encouraging me and giving me the guts, eventhough you didn't realize you were doing it.
We went on a trail ride. Down the sandy dirt road I stood up to feel my horse's awesome trot, just bridged the reins and let him extend out, snapping his legs and swinging his back. He picked up a canter. Then a hand gallop, then a gallop. It was AWESOME. I figured, what the hell. I've never had the guts to really shorten up my stirrups and try to ride like a race rider, but I figured today was my last shot.
So I jacked my stirrups up as high as they would go, and I stood up, then squatted back down. My horse has been off the track for almost 3 years, but the minute he felt me in that position, he started to get antsy. Then I stood and clucked.
And he just WENT. Put his head down and just rolled like a train. This from an unfit 10 year old... it wasn't Zenyatta, but DAMN. My guy raced for 6 years, so he knew the drill and just went right back to it - it was like, "OK Mom, I can finally do my job now!" He even kicked his heels and gave me a couple lead changes. I can't stop grinning. I think my last ride on this horse was the best ever, because I let him go back to what he was bred to be!
I posted this on the racing forum because I lurk here, and I thought about COTH when I made the decision to jack up those stirrups. I am hooked on OTTB's, and now I know why!!
Thanks guys, for encouraging me and giving me the guts, eventhough you didn't realize you were doing it.