Comments on: Thankful Thursday – Nostalgia (The 80’s)

By: Thankful Thursday – The One Who Started it All « From The Horse’s Back

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:40:06 +0000

[...] I did a series of Thankful Thursday posts titled “Nostalgia” (you can read them here, here, and here). I guess I’m feeling a bit sentimental again, because this week I have [...]

By: michelle

michelle — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 17:22:42 +0000

Kim, your trip sounds amazing! Was it recent enough that it might still be that wonderful? I was so sad when I saw that the ranch at The Pointe was gone….so many great memories there. Absolutely do your own nostalgia post! I’d love to hear your memories!

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:22:08 +0000

I love this post! You make me look back with the same kind of nostalgia! I too had a great experience with horses that helped bring me back to them, but as an adult, at the point you might call, ahem, later in life.
I took my daughter to the Lazy K Bar Ranch in Tucson. Wow. What a fun place. We did team penning, long trail rides in the mountains and desert, learned (a little) to rope, and all sorts of fun Western things. I love that place. The attitude there was, haven’t ridden in twenty years? No problem! Let us remind you! Never even stood close to a horse? No problem either! Let us teach you and then we’ll set up activities for you on horseback that you feel comfortable with.
That’s where I fell in love with the horse of my dreams, the Percheron. They had two, sisters, whose long eyelashes and sweet demeanor captured my heart on sight.
When my daughter is able, we will go back there.
Thanks for reminding me.
I may just even steal your idea here for a nostalgia post if you don’t mind. I’ll link back and give you full credit for the concept.
Thanks!

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:39:56 +0000

Paint Girl, I totally understand where you are coming from. I was always different because I was “the horse girl”, but I liked it. It was more a more socially acceptable reason to be different than if you were “the smart girl” or “the rich girl” because no one knew what to do with it! I think that really helped me develop a sense of autonomy because I never fit into one group – instead I was friends with all sorts of people. And I totally agree about the bullying stuff – every school should have a pet program: horses, dogs, cats, whatever. Experience with animals can instill so many positive qualities in people!

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:34:34 +0000

Thanks, Juliette!! You know, the funniest part of it was that it wasn’t INTENDED to be a horse riding vacation! We were supposed to be sightseeing and swimming and all sorts of fun stuff, but after one horse ride we were hooked! We still did some other things, but we managed it by getting up before sunrise every day to do a sunrise trail ride and then doing our sightseeing after we returned from our ride. My parents attempted to take us to the Grand Canyon for part of the trip, but quickly realized that wasn’t going to work and we returned to Pheonix and “our horses.” My poor dad spent most of our vacation babysitting my youngest sister, who was way too small to ride! I didn’t even realize how awesome my parents were at the time. Thanks guys!

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:29:25 +0000

Thanks, Arlene! I’m so fortunate that I was able to have these experiences. I know sometimes my family sacrificed other things so Mel and I could have horses, and I appreciate it so much.
Lisa, I can also remember the first time I ever sat on a horse’s back (it was actually a pony ride at a friend’s birthday party and I dreamed about it for years afterward!) I am with you – can’t imagine not having horses in my life!
Jenn, isn’t it amazing how certain things have such a profound impact on your life? I know how much your time with the Navajo meant to you and how integral it was to who you have become. I bet those people had no idea how much of an impact they’d have on that young girl who came to visit!

By: Paint Girl

Paint Girl — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:19:18 +0000

I totally know what you mean by your horses easing your transition into high school. I also feel the same way. Horses were (and still are) my true passion. I didn’t do sports, or belong to any school clubs. I was the horse girl. Yes, there were a few others in my school that rode horses too, but it was definitely the release I needed from the pressure’s of school. You know, I liked high school but than again, I hated it. I hated all the different groups, how everyone always judged others. My horse never judged me. I totally believe horses can teach a person so much about themselves, if only every child out there could experience what that is like, then maybe there wouldn’t be so much bullying and other crap that goes on in school.
Great post Michelle!

By: juliette

juliette — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:26:49 +0000

Michelle – I love this post!!! What wonderful memories of your first experience with horses. How lucky that your parents took you on such a fabulous horse-riding vacation! I completely agree about horses easing the “growing pains” of life. My middle school and high school “traumas” were always forgotten at the barn. On the bad days at school, my pony was my best friend. On the good days, mucking her stall kept me grounded and prevented me from acting too much like a snotty teenager – (except to my mom – sorry mom!).

By: Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen

Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:54:47 +0000

That is awesome, Michelle. It is good to look back every once in a while to see how our life took shape. I know the time I spent on the Navajo reservation shaped my life in so many ways. If it wasn’t for that, I don’t think I would have the hope and faith I do now to pursue a life living with the land.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:39:04 +0000

I remember the first time I rode a horse too – I must have been around 3 and my mother put me on a horse during some sort of a parade. I never looked back and the feeling never left me and never will. I’ll ride until my very last day – or at least I’ll have horses that long. Even if I can’t heave my body into a saddle anymore, I’ll take them on walks in my wheelchair).