Back in the saddle

Today I got back on a horse for the first time in over a year. I hadn't stopped riding because I was scared or anything it was purely because I couldn't afford it as it is pretty expensive and haven't really had time with work, uni etc. But I did it, I had become quite nervous of riding as I hadn't been in so long so was shaking when I got there (after getting lost for a while and having to phone for directions). So I got to the stables (Rycroft in Eversley), they checked my hat to make sure it was correct which luckily it was, then took me to see my horse, Zac. He was gorgeous but very big, I would say 16hh which is alot larger than the 15hh and below pony type horses I used to ride but I could tell he was a lovely boy (photo of someone else not me riding him bellow, sorry it is so small but is the only photo I could find). Anyway we led him into the outdoor arena and up I got with one big jump I was finally back sitting on a horse. I wont go into loads of detail about it as it will be very boring but we started with the basics of walk, trot and canter and some circles and change of reins etc. Then the instructor started getting me a Zac working together more and getting my position (which after a year was terrible) back to standard and getting Zac into a neat outline. By the end of this the lesson was over, far too quickly for my liking but off I popped and untacked Zac and back home I came. I haven't been so happy in ages and haven't stopped smiling since I started the lesson, it all went perfectly and now am looking forward to joining the equine society at uni and hopefully continuing my lessons there.

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