Today was an example of how life interferes with riding. I am not resentful, usually. Just maybe a wee bit frustrated.
The wet spring means soccer has been pushed back so far that the league is scheduling two games a day. We always go to the games every chance we get, both my husband and I. It's a lot of fun and my daughter, at sixteen, still likes us being there. Today the games started early. Finally I left just before the last game was over to get to the barn in time for a goodbye party.
Duchess's owners and Duchess are relocating to points South. The barn had a going away party for them. It was lovely. A tent was put up in front of the lower barn, a long table with chairs and lots of food. I was going to bring a big caesar salad but at the last minute grabbed a bag of chips and a jar of salsa instead. Sue me. At least I brought something. Good intentions and all that.
The camaraderie of the barn is best at gatherings like this. I am a new comer compared to a lot of the boarders so I am all ears when they are reminiscing. There was no rushing memories of legendary rides and stories of horses long gone.
Almost everyone had already ridden before the party. After the last goodbyes I saddled Annie up, hoping for a quiet, easy ride.
Ha! By then it was almost 1:30 and the flies were out full force. There is a point in the day when no amount of fly spray is going to stop the most aggressive pests. Poor Annie shivered and kicked at herself until I couldn't take it anymore. Ten minutes, maybe fifteen and it was time to leave the arena to the insects. Talk about buzz kill.
Can someone with fybromyalgia ride?
Posted by: Beth Garcia | August 23, 2011 at 07:26 AM
I'm sure it depends on a person's specific circumstances. Therapeutic riding centers are all over the country and more are sprouting up all the time. Once you have your doctor's OK check it out. Good riding instruction will provide you with as safe a mount as possible and build up your skills as you feel more confident! I find riding to be very beneficial to my chronic illness (scleroderma). There are the exercise benefits and the spiritual joy of being with such a gorgeous creature, my horse.
Posted by: Dr Aletta | August 23, 2011 at 08:52 AM