Peaches

i don't know if anyone quite realizes how difficult it is to drive a stick shift after riding a horse.

its hard.

for half an hour, every saturday at 9:30am, peaches makes me work up a sweat. but i'm finally getting the hang of it-- i think.

she's also a scaredy cat.  there was a patch of sunshine coming in through one of the windows, and when we got to it, she saw it and jumped back, then pranced around it. she's also afraid of the two doors, and makes sure to give them a wide berth..in case they open and somebody scary comes out.

but she's also very responsive. every move of the reins, cluck, nudge, she listens. whether she does what i want or not depends on whether she thinks i'm in charge or not (which i am) so she actually does listen pretty well. of course i can't take credit for it--she's been trained by some of the best in the barn. but it really takes a special horse to do it right.  i'm more and more comfortable with her everytime i go. we're starting to really work well together.  i remember to keep my heels down and out, keep my hands on the pad, back straight, elbows in--while making sure she is going where she's supposed to, and how fast she's supposed to.  its really not easy.

and when i dismount, i think of all the cowboys i've ever seen in movies or whatnot--and i totally understand why they walk like that.  my legs feel like they must perpetually be shaped like there is a horse between them. my thighs feel like limp noodles, and my feet are turned in. i'm not sure i can push the clutch in enough to get the car started, let alone drive home. but somehow i manage. and now i'm at home, sitting on the couch, and when i try to stand up it will be painful. but usually i forget and stand up fast and thats even worse, but my roommates at least get a kick out of it.