Horse Emergency Brake?

West Coast of Ireland

"Does your father know you're doing this?" That's what he said when he picked me up, drenched from the rain, trying to hitchhike to a local canyon where I could go horseback riding. Upon arrival at the canyon, I rented a horse from what appeared to be the canyon stable. Only, this wasn't the official stable and these weren't trained horses. I had inadvertently rented from some locals who trailered in some horses to make some cash.

And what I got was horse that was young, and (I discovered later) violently afraid of sheep (lots of sheep in this part of Ireland). The first part of my ride was okay. Then a herd of sheep came along and everything broke loose. My horse tried to climb the stone fence on the right side of the road (people stopped to watch), then he tried to climb the left side (people were still watching). That failing, he started to bolt (people stepped out of the way).

I pulled the horse version of an emergency brake, pulling one rein far over to my right knee to force him into a small circle (it's hard to run when you're folded in half), and once he calmed, walked him home. Perhaps it was better to walk this part of the canyon.

Comments

[Dave]

I saw that you were #1 on this month's Blog Babe list ...Congrats! And I'm glad you're still alive and kicking after your near horse related death.

[Heida]

Ah yes, Dave. I saw the traffic coming through from that site. I can't quite post the link you provided because, well, let's say my Mom would blush at the content. But I'll take it as flattery that I'm Miss July ;)....