A Moment of “Oh No” Turned Around

On March 27, 2015April 20, 2015 By debweeksIn Camping, Homesteading, Horseback Riding, Positive Living, RVing, Travel4 Comments

I decided to start taking horseback riding lessons. Last Saturday the girls had a make up lesson so I was able to get back into the saddle after 9 months of not riding. I had forgotten some of the saddling details, but felt more comfortable in the saddle than I had previously.

Monday was a regular lesson day for the girls and because hubby happened to be home that day, I was able to ride with them again. Two lessons within 3 days!

When I first started riding I thought all I would need to do was give the horse a little kick , say giddy-up and off we’d go. Pull the reins right, the horse goes right. Pull the reins left, the horse goes left.

Those of you who have ridden are probably chuckling about now 🙂

It’s much more of a work-out than a little kick and a pull of the reins. My legs need to do a lot of work guiding the horse. My core works hard keeping me balanced and in the saddle. If I’m not using my core appropriately, I will end up out of the saddle and laying on the ground. The reins are used, but not nearly as much as I originally thought.

My first day back in the saddle was spent getting used to riding again. My second day I was able to do a lot of trotting, which I really do enjoy. Trotting requires more of the legs and core though, so by the end of the lesson I was feeling it.

The next day I was in physical therapy. I have arthritis in my knees and am trying to do everything I can do to get some improvement in my knees. My PT session requires more and more leg work and during this week’s session, I could really feel it in my back as well. I knew I would feel it even more within the next couple of days and yesterday morning I woke up feeling it in my back.

I got up and started my day as usual and while bending over to pull clothes out of the dryer, I felt something pop in my back. It was then that I said, “Oh no”! I could barely stand up as pain shot across my lower back.

All day yesterday I was in pain. Sitting down hurt. Standing up hurt. Walking hurt. Laying down hurt. There wasn’t anything I could do to alleviate the pain. All I could do was try to find the most comfortable position and go about my day as best I could.

Sleep was minimal at best last night. Every turn caused pain and I couldn’t find a position that was totally pain-free.

Unfortunately, I could barely get out of bed this morning. My back was in so much pain that I was on the verge of tears, wondering how I was going to manage getting thru the day with 4 kids. FS2 was especially concerning as he requires a lot of lifting and carrying throughout the day.

Now let me brag on my girls for a moment.

Knowing that mommy’s back was not good, Naomi came downstairs before I did this morning. She turned on lights, let the dogs out and cued up Sesame Street for FS2 to watch.

Lili has helped me change diapers, put FS2 in his high chair and has done the majority of the heavy lifting and even did most of the work making lunch today.

Naomi helped serve lunch and cleared off the table after lunch.

They have really stepped in to help and I’m so proud of my little girls. They are showing me a level of responsibility I wasn’t sure existed yet.

My back problems have caused me to think about the future in some very different ways. Hubby’s back problems were a primary reason we put homesteading on the back burner and yesterday I was a bit sad to realize that my back could be the reason homesteading never happens for us. How can we run a farm of any size if we are down in the back?

But today is a new day and as the day has gone on I’ve become more and more determined to do what I need to do to get my back in better health. The girls have reminded me that homesteading is a family affair. It will take all of us working together and I believe we can somehow get there. My moment of “Oh no” has turned around. As I sit here in pain, I feel a level of optimism that things will work out in the end.

Until then, we will make plans, enjoy our RV travels and camping. It will be an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors as we work hard to build strength and stamina that will one day be needed on the homestead.

The physical problems we are dealing with now don’t have to be an obstacle that stands in the way of achieving our future goals. As long as we have the right attitude, we can take the challenges before us, work hard, and turn these difficult moments in great opportunities.

It’s a Family Affair

On March 1, 2014 By debweeksIn Animals on the Farm, Horseback RidingLeave a comment

Well not quite the whole family, but Lili, Naomi and I all went to our horse backing riding lessons today. Lili has been riding for almost a year, but this was a first for Naomi and me. Not the first time we’ve been on a horse/pony, but certainly a first lesson.

My lesson was a huge success!!!! I’ve ridden 4 times in my life. Two of those times were trail rides at camp and the other two I fell off the horse/pony. No trail ride today. I was actually learning to be in charge of the horse and telling her what to do. I also didn’t fall off, therefore, SUCCESS!!!!

Naomi has been on pony rides at a few places, but it’s just not the same sitting on a pony connected to a metal bar walking in a circle with all the other ponies and riders. She too was learning how to care for, saddle and ride. Since I was busy with my lesson, I wasn’t able to watch her do much riding, but was told she did an awesome job. Most of all, she loved it!!!!

Hubby went along to watch and take some pictures. Unfortunately, he didn’t get many good photos, but just so you have some proof of us being on horseback, I’ll share what we have and try to get better pictures in the not-too-distant future.

WP_20140301_001 — Naomi brushing Cooper. Cooper is the pony Lili has being riding for the last year and now it’s Naomi’s turn.

Lili and me brushing our horses. Lili is brushing Shatan and I'm brushing Oprah. — Lili and me brushing our horses. Lili is brushing Shatan and I’m brushing Oprah.

Look, I'm on the horse and not on the ground!! Yee Haw!! — Look, I’m on the horse and not on the ground!! Yee Haw!!

Lili riding Shatan. No more pony rides for her. She is on a horseback. — Lili riding Shatan. No more pony rides for her. She is on horseback.

Sorry I don’t have any pictures of Naomi riding. They all came out very blurry, but we’ll get more soon.

We had another special treat today. One of the ewes on the farm gave birth to twins about an hour before we got there. So after our lesson we were able to go see the momma and babies. The girls were thrilled to see the lambs so soon after they were born and it led to some great questions like, “Why do they have blood on them?” ‘What’s that red stuff hanging out of the momma?” Our trip home included some education on how babies live inside mamma’s and what happens after they are born. Based on their curiosity and the fact that they were not the least grossed out by what they saw, I’m think both our girls will make fine homesteaders one day.

First Horse Show

On October 12, 2013 By debweeksIn Horseback Riding11 Comments

Lili has been horseback riding for about 5 months now and today she participated in her first horse show.

For those who are not familiar with a horse show (because I didn’t know what it was), this is an opportunity for riders to participate in different events in front of a judge. The horse show world can apparently be quite cut-throat, however, this event was held for the students and was intended to do nothing more than allow them to experience a day of fun and learning.

The weather was a little iffy at first, but all the participants were inside preparing for the first event which was Paint Your Pony, so no need to be concerned yet.

Lili getting her pony, Cooper, decorated with paint.

Still working hard. She wanted him to be very colorful.

She was done painting and had him saddled and ready to ride out to be judged on Paint Your Pony.

The rain cleared out and it was time to head outside for all participants to be judged on Paint Your Pony.

Lined up and waiting for the judges decision. — Lined up and waiting for the judge’s decision.

Lili was #95 and patiently waiting with Cooper to here the results of Paint Your Pony. — Lili was #95 and patiently waiting with Cooper to hear the results of Paint Your Pony.

Lili and Cooper on their way back to the barn with her 3rd place ribbon and a package of finger paints. She was thrilled!!

Her next event was Beginner Walk Trot. During this event, the judge would give the rider instructions to walk, trot, reverse or halt. They were judged on their posture as well as their ability to control their horse.

Walk Trot event - Lili and Cooper — Walk Trot event – Lili and Cooper

Cooper was calm in this picture, but shortly afterward got spooked by something and actually bucked a bit. Lili kept control and kept riding. I’m so proud!

She turned Cooper nicely and headed back the other direction.

She walked away with 3rd place in this event as well.

Her next event was Leading Trail. In this event, she had to lead Cooper thru an obstacle course, both walking and trotting. There were 6 riders in this event.

Because I was helping Lili get ready for each event, I wasn’t able to take any pictures. No one else in our group took pictures either, so no photos – bummer. However, she did very well and placed second. Woo Hoo!! Go Lili!!!!

Now, on to her next event – Barrels Walk Trot.

In this event she needed to have Cooper either walk or trot to each of three barrels, in a specific order, going around each barrel in a specific direction and then trot back to the finish line. This is a timed event and Cooper is not the fastest pony. In addition, he was obsessed with stopping and eating grass today. As a result, one of the trainers had to hold the lead rope to make sure he didn’t stop to eat. The trainer was doing nothing more than holding the rope in case Cooper decided to stop to eat, so Lili had to do the work and did a really nice job taking 6th place out of 8 participants.

Barrels Walk Trot event — Barrel #1 right hand turn

Barrel #2 left hand turn (I should mention that our niece Maya took over photography duties and got creative with this shot. It’s a good picture!

Barrel #3 left-hand turn and now it was time to head back.

And now crossing the finish line. Good job Lili and Cooper!

Next event – Flag Race Open

There were 11 participants in this event. It was another timed event requiring the rider to ride around the ring taking the flag on one side and placing it in a sand bucket on the other side of the ring.

Heading around the ring with the flag. — Heading around the ring with the flag and to the sand bucket.

She placed it in the bucket perfectly!!!

Of the 11 participants, only 6 qualified and Lili got 6th place!!!! Awesome job!

Now onto the Poles Open event where riders must make their way to the end of a line of poles then ride their horse back weaving thru the poles one direction, then back the other direction, then trotting back to the finish line. There were 10 participants in this event.

Riding Cooper down to the end of the poles.

Still looking good with no poles missed, hit or knocked down.

Got thru all the poles and is now trotting back.

Lili and Cooper – 3rd Place!!!

Her last event of the day was the Ribbon Race. In this event, she and another rider ride their horses side-by-side while holding a crepe paper ribbon between them. They ride down the center of the ring, around a barrel and back to the finish line. The goal is to complete the event as quickly as possible without breaking the ribbon.

So far things are going well as they head toward the barrel.

Ahhh!! The ribbon broke as they rounded the barrel.

Still, they finished with a 5th place ribbon.

I would like to point out that of all the kids who participated today, only one other little girl had less experience than Lili. Most of the kids had been riding at least 1 year with one participant who has been riding for about 12 years. She was also the youngest participant in the horse show. I think that’s pretty darn good for a young rider and she is very proud of her accomplishments today. I’m also one proud mommy as well!!

Good job Lili!!

worldofweeks

Tag: horseback riding

A Moment of “Oh No” Turned Around

It’s a Family Affair

First Horse Show

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