I’m 22, egoistic and perhaps a little ungrateful. With all the luxuries my parents have provided, I’m furious that they didn’t force me to do more when I was a young boy.
I’m 22, egoistic and perhaps a little ungrateful. With all the luxuries my parents have provided, I’m furious that they didn’t force me to do more when I was a young boy.
Why let a kid watch television and play computer games for hours on end when, in those early stages of development, he could have been mastering a life-long passion?
One of my greatest resentments is not learning how to ride a horse.
If not to master the skill, then at least to indulge my nostalgic obsession with Victorian England. But I’m a firm believer though that it’s never too late for anything.
Last Tuesday I had my first horse riding lesson at the Grahamstown Equestrian Centre. It went well. It’s a great place to start with friendly staff and pets.
Like most things, however, horse riding is easier if you start out young. One of the first things my riding instructor said was, “It’s harder than it looks.” That wasn’t very encouraging, but it was true. It takes years to understand how horses think and to appreciate how they move.
My horse’s name was Bump – she has a bump on her leg. She was mainly calm and collected. We rode around and I got used to how she moved. Before I knew it, I was learning how to steer and stop her: tighten your lower legs to make her start and your upper thighs and buttocks to make her stop. It’s all so subtle, but it seemed like Bump could feel every tendon and muscle in my body move. If I turned my shoulders left she would walk to the left.
Horses are like any other animal. They have their own brain – about the size of a potato – and think independently of the rider.
Generally, horses are well behaved but there are days when they’re just as annoyed and grumpy as we get on a bad hair day.
Lucky for me, Bump was having a great day. Horses can be easily frightened by loud noises and unfamiliar things. Their two blind spots also probably contribute to their sometimes nervous natures. A horse has two visual blind spots: directly in front and behind. As their eyes are so far apart, they can only see sideways while facing forward.
There’s something inherently peaceful about a horse. Perhaps it’s the gracious movement or the restrained strength ready to erupt. But what I find most peaceful is their ability to humble me. I ended the session attempting to do a rising trot – it really is harder than you think.
The Grahamstown Equestrian Centre is located just outside of Grahamstown, on Cradock Road. Once you pass the turn-off to the army base on the right, continue just a bit further up the road until you reach the centre on your left. You’ll see a sign: “Grahamstown Riding Club,” and probably some horses roaming around.
Lessons cost R100 per session and last around one hour. To book a lesson or to find out more contact Claire Faddle at 084 826 9585.
