Reunited

My horseback riding instructor was old when he started teaching me. I don't say that lightly or to be mean. Nor am I exaggerating. It's simply fact. He was in his 60s when I started riding with him. And now, he's mid 70s. He's funny though, you wouldn't know he's old. He refuses to age. He has however come to terms with the fact that he can't ride anymore. Although it's not so much that he isn't mentally capable, more like his two metal hips, and metal knee making mounting up very challenging. He can't break colts like he used to. He still starts them, but he needs someone else in the saddle these days.

That's where I come in.

He's had some health issues and family stuff the past few years. We haven't seen each other much. But I always call around Christmas. So I called him last weekend. And he was so happy to hear from me. Because he'd been thinking of calling me. But he wasn't sure I had time for "an old man and his horse".

I always have time for horses. And this is my favorite old man.

He still has Ziggy and Barrister (Both of these horses have been previously mentioned on the Blog, see My Big Red Horse and A Zig and Zag). I got to see them again. For the first time in like 8 years. They remembered me. There's nothing quite like the moment an 1000 pound animal comes streaming like a bullet from miles away to greet you, shaking and bouncing in excitement. I nearly cried into Barrister's muzzle. He's 21 now. He's old. He's still perfect. And Ziggy, a dapper 17.

Barrister

Ziggy & Barrister

So I'm going to help Mr. Bee train some horses. Break colts. Teach Ziggy to drive. Train a Dressage prospect he picked up. Exercise his clients horses.

And for the first time since I've gotten back into the saddle as an adult, I feel like I'm actually going to learn something exciting and worthwhile about horses again. I got my teacher back. The dream team is back together. And it's going to be amazing.