My mother-in-law asked me this question the other day. You see, she can’t understand why a person who has ridden as long as I have should still need lessons. After all, in her day, she could rent a horse at a stable and go on a trail ride.
However, that was a long time ago before liability and aggressive lawyers. I don’t know of a place, except maybe the Kentucky Horse Park, where you can rent a horse. I rented a horse in Montana one summer. But it was like the trail ride in Kentucky. It consisted of following behind the tail of another horse at a walk. Sure, the scenery was good. In Montana, I rode beside a beautiful lake and up a steep caldera to view the mountains in the distance.
So, I take riding lessons, because I don’t own a horse. My weekly riding lesson is how I get my “horse fix.” Besides, I’m learning something new all the time. Riding once a week isn’t much practice. I don’t consider myself an expert. Did you know every part of your body must be positioned correctly when you ride? There are subtle movements of your fingers or calves or even your “seat” that signal something to a horse.
But isn’t that the way in life? Your lessons are never finished. You are constantly learning. Growing. Or at least you should be.
I’ve written romance novels since 1990, but I’m no expert. I’m constantly learning here too. In January, I took an online plot development class. I welcome comments from readers. I listen to my editors. For my self-published books, I’ve found a terrific proofreader. I’m never satisfied.
Nothing is perfect. Maybe that is how it should be. Without perfection, we have the incentive to learn something new.
The journey is so much fun, too!
What a pleasure to enjoy. Of course those who have never experienced feeling a horse moving with you, listening to you, enjoying taking you where you want to go, should find out. Horses are the most magnificent animals who rankup there with dogs. All I can say is enjoy double for me Jan. Each lesson
Judy, I started ready Smith Lilly’s book Saddle Seat Horsemanship. He writes, as a professional, what I’ve picked up over the years as a student, and explains it very well. So much to learn to be a good rider or a great horseman!