Saying goodbye to Star and so much more...

This past week has been a crazy horse week.  First off, one of Alyssa's amazing awesome horses, Star, died.  Star was getting up there in age, but her passing was unexpected.  In fact, Alyssa had just been joking with me about trying to put Star on a healthy food diet.  She likened it to trying to put your grandma on a diet, really?  Star was a very gentle horse.  

Ironically, many years before Sidney started taking lessons, we went to a party at Alyssa's and both girls rode Star.

Sidney was so sad to hear about Star.  Many tears were shed that evening.  

Then a couple days later, she got bucked off for the first time.  I was there.  I knew it was coming.  She was doing her lesson at Jami's on Rocket.  Typically, Rocket is super gentle and super lazy.  Sidney was trying to get him to lope, and the bucking started.  The trainer said that Rocket had been having a really 'off' day.  One thing I know to be true, you ride horses long enough, you will get bucked off.  

If there was a perfect scenario for getting bucked off, this was it.  Sidney landed on her side bum, which is much better than landing on a head or an arm.  Rocket stopped in his tracks, once he realized what he had done.  Also good, as they did not have to go chasing him, nor did Sid get stomped on.  I was proud of Sidney.  Once she got herself pulled together and dusted off,  she got right back on.  Everyone called her 'tough'.  On the car ride home, I asked her if she was scared.  She said she was not scared or mad at rocket.  Mostly it had taken her by surprise.  Her bum was sore for a few days, but I think she was proud of herself for getting up and getting back on.  

This past week reminded me of something Terrell had sent awhile back.  I asked her to find it for me, so I could post it:

Lessons you’re really paying for when your daughter rides Horses

by Mended Hearts | Aug 28, 2020 | Uncategorized |She’s learning to control her fears.

1. She’s learning patience.
2. She’s learning the art of silent communication.
3. She’s learning to trust herself and her intuition.
4. She’s learning she will always have a shoulder to cry on, she will know love.  She won’t need a boyfriend to make her feel wanted.
5. She’s learning discipline and responsibility.
6. She’s learning the art of how to be a gentle but consistent leader.
7. She’s learning to love nature and the outdoors, & how to ground herself in a chaotic world.
8. She’s learning how to polish up and be presentable, and also how to get dirt under her nails.
9. She’s learning to fall and fail, and to keep trying.

Sidney has been riding for just over a year now, and I have seen her grow tremendously from her time with the horses.  It has affected her immensely, in all areas of her life.  Her confidence has soared.  Her work ethic has grown.  Her independence has shown through.  Her compassion has deepened.  I do not know if this is a phase.  I do not know if she will grow out of this.  Regardless of whether it is just a phase, it is a period in her life that has changed her forever.  She started riding horses shortly after her dad passed away.  I think it filled a gap in her life that no human could replace.  Yes, I am spending a lot of money, but that money is an investment in this young ladie's life.