Sitting a Horse

In less than three weeks I will be joining my brother (Hampton On) and a couple of other guys on a cattle drive in Wyoming and Montana. This is something I have always wanted to do and I can’t thank Bill enough for making it possible.

In preparation for this trip I took my first horseback riding lesson. The Libs are accusing us of torturing prisoners at Gitmo? Funny, I haven’t seen the pictures of terrorist scum bags on horseback so I’d say they are being treated pretty well.

My daughter and I went to the barn where she takes lessons. Her trainer is one of our closest friends so I thought this would be simple, she’ll take it easy on me and I’ll be able to tell myself that I had ridden prior to our trip. I had no idea that the simple act of sitting a horse could hurt so much. I have ridden motorcycles for years, but even dirt bikes on the roughest track didn’t come close to the soreness I feel.

Starting at the bottom, my ankles are sore from turning my feet into the stirrups. My knees have shooting pains every time I bend my legs. My groin is so sore that I can’t walk normally. My testicles feel like they’ve been through a 3 set tennis match, and I have blisters between my butt cheeks. This is after just ONE hour.

So for the rest of this evening, its Motrin, an Icy Hot back patch, some Gold Bond Powder, a few PBR’s, and The Shield. I’m going back next Tuesday, hopefully by then I’ll be healed. On a motorcycle, an “Ironbutt” ride is 1000 miles in 24 hours. My personal best is a little over 900. If tonight is any indication of how I’ll feel after a 70 mile cattle drive, I think I’ll stick to bikes.

Scolai