Balancing act

Riding is all a matter of balance, they say.

This is true in more ways that you might think.

For example, riding and attendant horse care is time consuming. There is: getting to the barn (unless you have a backyard horse, something I would love to try!), then grooming and tacking up, riding for an hour or so, after-ride care for the horse and the tack, and then the drive home. So figure two hours minimum, but more like three many days. So life has to be planned so that the additional time each day can be balanced with work, household chores, and family. And probably some sleep.

While my dad was alive, the timing of visits in the nursing home was such that riding could usually not be scheduled the same day. I still find myself having uncomfortable twinges as I am leaving the barn as to whether I am in a clean enough state to visit my dad, and whether he will be eating or asleep, until I remember that he’s not there anymore.

Then there is fiscal balance. Keeping a horse is expensive: board, vet bills, new tack from time to time, farrier, lessons, and maybe a need for specialized services such as adjustments to his spine for crookedness, and (for our household) that has to be balanced with the very expensive hobby of flying. Luckily our house is paid off, but the annual property taxes are higher than our annual mortgage payments used to be!

There is the physical balance of riding. I am working to get better at that by riding with no stirrups at the walk and trot as a cool-down after the schooling part of the ride is over. I like it a lot, but I’m not so sure I would like cantering without them.

Finally there is the mental balance. Champagne’s careening gallop thing last week has made me a little tentative about asking for another canter, at least without Cath around in case he takes off again. There is no reason he should, but I think my lack of confidence may have had something to do with why I couldn’t get him to canter left (his left preferred, slower, more reluctant side) yesterday. I didn’t try canter right, which is the side he has been known to bolt on. And I am mindful that I especially don’t want to get hurt right before vacation.

Am I keeping being in balance in balance?