The perils of being a method writer and riding horses
January 17th 2007 09:04
Now you might be wondering about that title? Well let me explain for any newcomers to my blog. I am writing a fantasy trilogy and it's bit of a labour of love really as been writing on/off for last 7 years, but I am still as focused now as I was when I started and guess so far I have about 150,000 words written. Although big problem is apart from chapters 1&2 they all need to be edited.
Anyway I like to know what I am writing about and more the case, feel and experience things if possible that will help me write better. A while ago, a friend of mine said she would teach me to ride after I had helped her out ( she had been kicked in the knee by a horse, which should have alerted me).
So one Sunday I went down to the paddock and thought 'this will be interesting' as I had only ridden a horse once before. But no, my friend was very patient with me, and taught me in a way that I could understand, with the result that I was able to stay on, steer and basically feel pretty good about it. Actually between me and you I thought it was a piece of p*** really, so felt pleased.
Anyway a week later and the next time I got on, the same horse felt completely different and couldn't understand it?? My friend thought he was just being a brat, as he wouldn't do anything I wanted him to and advised to show him that I meant it. Well that's what I did, which ended up with myself being bucked off and a hard landing.
Now I can say honestly that sacred the crap out of me, and more the fact that my friend wouldn't let me go until I had got back on (which I did not want to do!) . Anyway got back on and did some trotting on the lunge rope (didn't like that either). Very long story cut short, got a cracked rib out of it, but the good thing was the experience as because all my characters ride horses and I now know what it feels like to fall off.
Anyway not that long ago, I had the idea that I would do a horse trek. As I was still not that confident around horses at all and thought it would be good to do. So I found a place called Ryton station 1.5 hrs from Christchurch, right by the Southern Alps. For anyone interested it's High Country Horse Adventures, www.horsetrek.co.nz
So I arrived and we got going, I must say I was very nervous about my horse as he was pretty big 18.5 hands or more and not even 5 mins into the ride, he shot up this dry river bed to keep up with the guide but it scared the crap out of me! And it left me thinking should I turn around? But I had paid $90 for two hours and thought the guide might think I was a wuss?
The guide was great and he told me all about how he had been an extra in the Lord of the Rings movies along with the horses etc. The scenery was just amazing and it was so peaceful too!
Anyway my horse was very well behaved and if you are not used to riding, then 2 hrs is more than enough as I was getting pretty sore. Just as we had arrived back at the paddock, the horse my guide was riding suddenly spooked, but as I was ready for it, I wasn't too concerned when mine did the same, although I have to thank my friend for giving me that helpful experience as her horse was highly reactive and spooked 3 times in 10 mins when I was riding him once (didn't fall off either).
So in all very useful to know what it actually feels like to ride,fall and generally observe how horses act, as before I had no idea. So now I need to learn how to sword fight etc.
thought for the day 'Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work' - H. L. Hunt
Hal
Anyway I like to know what I am writing about and more the case, feel and experience things if possible that will help me write better. A while ago, a friend of mine said she would teach me to ride after I had helped her out ( she had been kicked in the knee by a horse, which should have alerted me).
So one Sunday I went down to the paddock and thought 'this will be interesting' as I had only ridden a horse once before. But no, my friend was very patient with me, and taught me in a way that I could understand, with the result that I was able to stay on, steer and basically feel pretty good about it. Actually between me and you I thought it was a piece of p*** really, so felt pleased.
Anyway a week later and the next time I got on, the same horse felt completely different and couldn't understand it?? My friend thought he was just being a brat, as he wouldn't do anything I wanted him to and advised to show him that I meant it. Well that's what I did, which ended up with myself being bucked off and a hard landing.
Now I can say honestly that sacred the crap out of me, and more the fact that my friend wouldn't let me go until I had got back on (which I did not want to do!) . Anyway got back on and did some trotting on the lunge rope (didn't like that either). Very long story cut short, got a cracked rib out of it, but the good thing was the experience as because all my characters ride horses and I now know what it feels like to fall off.
Anyway not that long ago, I had the idea that I would do a horse trek. As I was still not that confident around horses at all and thought it would be good to do. So I found a place called Ryton station 1.5 hrs from Christchurch, right by the Southern Alps. For anyone interested it's High Country Horse Adventures, www.horsetrek.co.nz
On the way to Ryton Station
So I arrived and we got going, I must say I was very nervous about my horse as he was pretty big 18.5 hands or more and not even 5 mins into the ride, he shot up this dry river bed to keep up with the guide but it scared the crap out of me! And it left me thinking should I turn around? But I had paid $90 for two hours and thought the guide might think I was a wuss?
Along the trail
The guide was great and he told me all about how he had been an extra in the Lord of the Rings movies along with the horses etc. The scenery was just amazing and it was so peaceful too!
High country horse trek
Anyway my horse was very well behaved and if you are not used to riding, then 2 hrs is more than enough as I was getting pretty sore. Just as we had arrived back at the paddock, the horse my guide was riding suddenly spooked, but as I was ready for it, I wasn't too concerned when mine did the same, although I have to thank my friend for giving me that helpful experience as her horse was highly reactive and spooked 3 times in 10 mins when I was riding him once (didn't fall off either).
So in all very useful to know what it actually feels like to ride,fall and generally observe how horses act, as before I had no idea. So now I need to learn how to sword fight etc.
Old high country hut, Southern Alps, NZ
thought for the day 'Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work' - H. L. Hunt
Hal
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Comment by katyzzz
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katyzzz.....Well done, if a little long for most of us