What great fun!

With the encouragement of a friend, I did something this morning that I have wanted to do for years. I took my first lesson in driving a horse.

Molly is a beautiful Haflinger Horse with great patience but enough life to make the entire experience fun. I was in a sulky and although we stayed at a walk and then a trot, it was wonderful, awesome, and I can't wait to do it again. When you are driving along and the horse is moving as you directed and the breeze is on your face, it is one of those glorious moments that is meant to be treasured.

Although I grew up riding horses, this was the first time I tried to drive one. I'm a convert, addict, and totally hooked. Next week I'll try to actually have someone take pictures. I brought the camera but was so excited (like a kid in a candy shop) that I only remembered the camera after I was ready to go and by then someone else was riding Molly. I did get a shot of her beautiful head however.

Oh, I also rode Molly for a bit and I'll pay for that with sore muscles tomorrow. I am already feeling the aching in the joints from the driving but it was worth every twinge. I don't think I had ridden with an English saddle since I was in high school. I feel more secure using a western one but I think the driving is going to continue to win out over everything.

It was everything I had imagined it to be and more. It required some extra awareness since I wasn't used to the sulky and so had to remember not to take the wheels off as I got next to the rail and to allow more room for turns but Molly was patient and we both survived the experience. The trainer, Marjorie, was very encouraging without being demanding and when she suggested riding as well, it just seemed like a natural thing to do. (I'm not sure "natural" will be the word for it tomorrow.)

The driving was a high like I hadn't experienced in years and I am so glad that I decided to try it. I think I may go take the dogs for a walk now while I can still move and then I see a warm bath and several Tylenol in my future.

And to answer your question, yes, I have already booked my lesson for next week. Surely I can pull the body together by then.