Do you ever have a dream where you’re falling, and it feels so real that your body wakes you up? Well this was not a dream. I was falling, and there was no bed for me to wake up in.
Growing up I was always around horses. My mom got into horses as a teenager, and they never left her heart. The minute I was born I was put up in the saddle. Where most families would bond by going swimming, hiking, or to watch a movie, my family bonded by going horseback riding. (Or as we call it, trail riding.) The first horse I remember riding was a beautiful mare (girl horse) named Angel. She was a sweet old white quarter horse who took care of everyone who rode her. I went on many trail rides with her and when she passed away I learned at the early age of six that people’s deaths aren’t the only deaths we morn. Eventually I moved on and started riding a new horse whose name was Tanka.
Tanka was a stubborn and sassy sorrel mare. I really didn’t ride her on my own because she probably would’ve taken advantage of me being a beginner. Since I couldn’t ride her on my own my sister Lisa usually rode along on Tanka while I sat behind the saddle, holding on to the edge of it for dear life. One cloudy mid September day my mom decided we should go on a trail ride. Since we didn’t have enough horses for everyone who wanted to come on the ride, my mom came up with a plan.
She planned that me, Lisa, and my mom’s friend Lori should ride down the road to meet my mom and her other friends at their house
Don Churchill is in the business of building cowboys and cowgirls out of people with intellectual disabilities. It is a labor of love that began when Don and his wife Denise worked on the executive staff at Down Home Ranch outside of Elgin.
Some people think of them as animals. Some people think of them as objects. Some people think of them as friends. Then there are the few who think of them as family. Horses have always been like family to humans, except sometimes closer. There are many benefits to owning or being around horses. They come in many different colors. There is a multitude of breeds, also. Additionally, they have a long history with humans. Horses have unique behaviors. Showing horses has been the past-time or even career of many people. Furthermore, caring for horses can be a handful, but is definitely rewarding. Finally, riding horses is not just a hobby or a sport, but an action of your heart. Horses are wondrous creatures that have lived with man or
There is a trail down the road in Delaware where I enjoy taking my dog for a walk. It is a beautiful, five-mile loop traversing cornfields, thick patches of forest, steep hills and flowing streams; a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the suburban lifestyle and spend some time amongst the peacefulness of nature. It is not a complete escape, however, for I am not the only person that knows of the trail- it seems to also be a favorite of horseback riders. Often times I will encounter a rider or two at some point during my walk and, without fail, I will be in awe of the size and majesty of the horse. What an incredible, gentle beast it is. Standing next to a horse, you cannot help but gawk at the bulging, toned muscles and long, agile legs. It is truly an athlete with a rare combination of strength and speed. Yet, they are gentle and kind and have therefore been joined at the hip with humans; today, nearly all horses have been domesticated. So I find myself
I am the daughter of a livestock dealer. My father was an amazing wrangler and rancher. Throughout my life, we have bought and sold many horses--too many to count, and I have also sent my own fair share to the slaughter plants. As a young teen I had a horse we called Whino, he was a great horse for me when I was learning to ride and wanting to follow Dad around. There comes a time in a horse’s life when they are not capable of doing what they once were or that they become sore or crippled to lead a life with meaning or comfort. I was raised to understand life and death and that one will follow the other. I knew when we had
My horse died on the 15th of November, 2013, my sophomore year. He was my first horse. I had been searching for a year and a half, and after so much deception, I had finally found him.
My favorite memory with my horse Shadow is when we qualified for state. It was really exciting to go down to the state fair and ride in the coliseum. The first year we went down to the state fair it wasn't the best year since it was our first time. This year we did much better and even got a ribbon. It's fun to do 4-H with my horse because I can ride them and compete. Last year my mom got a new horse named Tanner. Tanner was mom's shooting horse and mom said I couldn't ride him. When I started riding Tanner I wanted him to become my game horse like Shadow. When my mom had her accident at Two Harbours she couldn't ride anymore. Since then, Tanner has become my horse and I am working on training him to become become a game horse. I don't know what I would do without my horses. My mom said that when I got home from China and we got to the house, my mom went out to see one of her horses. I was little when we were there and I reached out and touched the horse. Since then I have had a connection with the
After a few weeks I returned to horseback riding; after a year I returned to redeem myself at the same show. As fate would have it, I drew the same horse from the previous year. Flashbacks of the accident raced through my mind as my coach broke the bad news. I immediately ran to Claire, tears welling up in my eyes.
Trails of exhaust were propelled out of every single car in the bumper to bumper traffic, making the recirculation button a necessity. The dull roar of hundreds of people walking, talking, shouting, and blaring their car horns gradually blended into one unpleasant, continuous track that I was forced to listen to. Litter and cigarette butts pooled around gutters and lined the curbs, so I redirected my gaze upwards at the towering skyscrapers. I liked the view, so long as I kept my eyes above street level, and I supposed I liked the city, so long as I did not breathe in too deeply. I tried to appreciate nicer aspects of the busy city, but where I really wanted to be, was hiking somewhere in the mountains.
Steve McGarrett is a police officer and main character in the TV show Hawaii Five-0. While some of his behaviors on the show can seem very strange and even dangerous, they can all be easily explained using the four perspectives on personality.
I began horseback riding at age four, and my equestrian pursuits have not only shaped who I am as an individual, but have kept me grounded. Working as a groom to afford riding lessons instilled a work ethic within me that has contributed tremendously to my academic successes. Rescuing a horse at a young age, and caring for him no matter the circumstance, has given me a strong sense of commitment that translates to all avenues of my life. Besides shaping my character, being entirely responsible for my horse throughout college urged me to find a productive balance in my life. Learning to make time for hobbies and other activities outside of academics has greatly improved my overall well-being, and is a lesson that will be invaluable as I pursue
If you find yourself bored, and wasting a perfectly good weekend, trail riding is a great activity for you. And if you’re with a friend, it’s even more fun. As you will soon see, I have many reasons for being drawn to this activity. All you need is an ATV, UTV, or a dirtbike, and you can be well on your way to a great adventure!
I have come to love bicycles in the course of the past year. I am especially fond of mountain bikes, including my own. Riding it opens up a whole new world of opportunities and challenges for me. I am still fairly fresh to the whole mountain biking scene, so I push myself to become better with more experience. Riding is an outlet; it is something I can channel pent up energy through. I love the sport because it is a full body, soul, and mind experience that affects all five of the senses.
Over the summer, my family and I drove up to Maine in order to visit my grandpa and relax. For the past couple of years, my dad and I have planned a few days to go hiking. We got into hiking a couple of years ago when we first discovered Tumbledown Mountain. After our first hike together, we were entranced by the beauty of nature and peacefulness that we were eager to plan more. This became a tradition because my dad and I rarely get to spend a lot of time together due to our busy schedules.
We humans are social animals. We normally prefer others around us and enjoy sharing experiences with others. In some situations, some of us like to experience the world alone. If the empty, open trail beckons you, then solo hiking might be what you’re looking for. There may be potential consequences when solo hiking which you need to be prepared to deal such as being prepared for solo hiking, and the dangers of solo hiking.
When the sun slowly peeps over the range of mountains, birds shake the morning dew off their feathers and give a cheerful song that would lift even the most sorrowful of spirits. A light fog wraps around the mountain range, reaching to touch every bit of life thriving there. The slight chill in the air is enough to give a gentle shiver, but not enough for the need of a jacket. A breeze tickles the trees, making their leaves shake and sway with laughter. Sunlight seeps in past the thick canopy of branches with hopes of being able to reach the damp mountain earth. The mountains are the best place to live to be relaxed, see the most beauty, and never get bored.