Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2012/09/28
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]On Sep 28, 2012, at 10:35 PM, Nathan Wajsman <photo at frozenlight.eu> wrote: > As a proud owner of the "Men of the Saddle" book, I can only say that your > sacrifices were worth it ;-) what he said.... your sacrifices were worth it Ted (and those of the horses), Steve > > Cheers, > Nathan > > Nathan Wajsman > Alicante, Spain > http://www.frozenlight.eu > http://www.greatpix.eu > http://www.nathanfoto.com > PICTURE OF THE WEEK: http://www.fotocycle.dk/paws > Blog: http://nathansmusings.wordpress.com/ > > > YNWA > > > > On Sep 27, 2012, at 5:42 PM, <tedgrant at shaw.ca> <tedgrant at shaw.ca> > wrote: > >> >> >> Rent a Horse >> >> >> >> Prior to my first assignment to the ranching country of Alberta it became >> >> necessary for me to ride a horse as I had I never done so. However I >> >> survived only due to the success of my first riding assignment. I found >> >> myself offered other projects involving mounting horse back. I can >> >> assure you it had nothing to do with my riding ability. >> >> >> >> With new assignments booked I was determined to really know how to ride >> and >> >> do it right. Thus saving me enduring the constant "city slicker" remarks. >> >> >> >> Approaching the "Sun Dance Ranch", a rent-a-horse riding stable near >> >> Ottawa, I arranged a schedule of daily riding lessons and was about >> >> to mount for the first lesson. >> >> >> >> The training approach was an hour a day for a month. Starting as a >> >> rookie I found myself on a gentle horse riding around the corral and >> >> familiarizing myself with the feel of the animal. On the back of my gentle >> >> old horse and riding tall in the saddle of the cowboy, I loved it. >> >> >> >> The first couple of days on the trails of the property I was >> >> accompanied by an instructor who soon felt I was confident enough. >> >> And suggested I should ride by myself. >> >> >> >> The first day riding alone was exciting, somewhat like the first >> >> time you were allowed to drive the car solo. >> >> >> >> We plodded along for approximately thirty minutes, when my horse sensed >> >> it was half time in the hour ride, it turned and headed for the >> >> stable. I tried to turn it's head to ride on farther to no avail >> >> Plodding was over and like a bolt of lightening she headed for home. >> >> >> >> With me hanging on for dear life and within sight of the barn, it reverted >> >> to a docile gentle mare and sauntered up to the hitching rail as though >> >> nothing had happened. >> >> >> >> Explaining my experience to the stable hand, he just laughed and >> >> said, "the old girl can't run that fast." But as he lead her to the >> stable >> >> she turned and looked at me knowing she had me. >> >> >> >> One of the instructors heard the story and a few days road along to see >> if the horse would repeat itself, of course nothing happened, it did the >> usual plod along with the occasional canter back to barn. Now I really >> looked stupid with my story of the wild ride. >> >> >> >> Nothing occurred for several days as I ventured out on my own. Sure >> >> enough almost to the thirty minute mark her head came around and we were >> >> off for the barn lickity-split. I knew that horse was out to kill me. >> >> >> >> This time I didn't say anything, I didn't want them to think I was an >> idiot. >> >> But the horse and I looked at each other and we both knew this was >> >> going to be a competition of survival. >> >> >> >> I remembered what an old cowboy told me about horses, "they will try you!" >> >> If you don't show who's boss, they will beat you every time." >> >> To-morrow would be a different story! >> >> >> >> The next day prepared for the usual gallop back, as soon as her head came >> >> around, much to her surprise I pulled-up hard on the bridle. It >> >> worked, she stopped and stood there. Round two for me. >> >> >> >> Each day after, it became an enjoyable ride with her, the pace of the ride >> >> improved! I was comfortable with a fast canter and my ability >> >> to where I felt I could ride with the Albertans. >> >> >> >> On the final day I took a couple of cameras to hang from shoulders and to >> >> get the feel of riding with equipment. It was an enjoyable ride, me >> >> feeling at ease. I stretched the time as it was the last day. >> >> >> >> Lulled into a false sense of riding comfort I wasn't prepared for >> >> what happened. >> >> >> >> She made-up her mind it was time to turn and go. Before I could respond >> >> I was given the test ride of my life, she flew along the trail at full >> >> gallop . >> >> Me hanging on dearly to saddle horn and cameras I didn't realize we were >> back at the stable yard and she came to an abrupt stop putting her head >> down, sending me and cameras through the air into the manure pile. She >> gave a kind of snort looking at me as only a female can! I swear she was >> smiling!. >> >> >> >> "You have to show 'em who's boss!" Cameras were Ok, my riding dignity was >> somewhat bent! >> >> >> >> End of lessons. Next rides were for real rounding-up cattle and >> photographing the action there of. which I id hold my own! >> >> >> >> And it produced one of my better books. "WORKING COWBOY'S OF CANADA!" >> And a subcequent edition "WORKING COWBOYS OF >> AMERICA.!.......................... >> >> >> >> I'VE NEVER RIDDEN SINCE! J >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Leica Users Group. >> See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information >> > > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information