Dex and I go on an adventure....

It's been almost 3 years since my accident on that crazy paint horse I had, and my courage (and interest) to ride has been slow to return. My roundpen sure has helped a lot in regaining confidence. I'm not sure why I'm even scared to ride Dex because he has NEVER done anything to me. The only time I ever came off of him in the 10 years I've had him was when my cinch strap broke.

So, for some reason last night, I decided I was going to ride and headed to the roundpen. We spent about 15 minutes in there till that got boring. By this time he was settled down and listening to me well. He is a bit of a brat about working so will have a little temper tantrum for the first few minutes then just resigns to the fact he is going to have to do some exercise. :horse32.gif:

Out the rounpen we headed...I even was able to open the gate mounted. We trotted around the front pasture for another 5-10 mins or so with my ever-faithful riding instructor, Molly



Dex was even listening to her...



Next we headed out the driveway... he was a bit hesitant at first but was good once he saw that there was nothing scarey past the end. Had to run the gauntlet of mailbox, garbage bin and green bin though first... we all know how scarey that is



Up the road we go.... My stomach is starting to turn at this point.



I chickened out a bit when we got to the next road and turned to go home. Dex was looking both ways



But then I realized that he was totally calm and I turned back away from home :cowgirlride.gi

I went up to visit my neighbour and check out her new riding ring (which she said I could come up and ride in whenever!) Dex got a little antsy when we were just standing around so I decided to hop off and let him calm down. We have to work on his patience a bit... He calmed down again walking home, and I tried to get back on but I needed my step stool which was of couse at home. Snapped some pictures along the way though.



Ground tying!



That only lasted for a minute so I had to grab him



Trimmed his feetsies when we got back. Sporting our sexy feet!



And my riding instructor needed a drink after all that work :cat001.gif:



It was a pretty good evening. Hopefully I get out and do it again soon. I'm super proud of Dex being such a good boy!

i AM SOO SOO SOOO SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!!!!! Well done Azure, all on your own, (well apart from Molly)...a little at a time there kiddo......Dex did great, you were probably more scared than him.........now you can get on next time with a lot more confidence. You know the first step is always the hardest............it will get easier each time......you"ll be racing him down towards the beach in no time girl............WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO :cowboyhound.gi

BRAVO GIRL! Clearly you were ready for the adventure. As was Dex! It's nice to get out of the ring - great for all our minds. So proud of all the progress you've made. Fear can be a real party pooper.

wonderful.. just wonderful... love the pics and the story.. you are doing great.. what an achievement .. looking forward to more pics and more rides for you.. don't stop now.. keep it up.. it will get easier and easier..

Good for you...that took courage after your bad experience...but you and Dex did it!!!!!!!!!!! Very proud of you!!!!

good for you..........You must be so proud of yourself, and you should be...

Yay for you!!! Letting go of that fear is a hard thing to do...I'm so happy for you. Here's to many more happy rides!!

Great job! He looks like a very sensible boy - bet he enjoyed it, too!!!

Good for you and heres to many more trips down the road.

Great job! Keep it up. You look so proud of yourself and you should be.

thats awesome! keep working on that confidence, it will be back in no time :)