If you have ever had the opportunity to do much horseback riding on skittish horses, then you already have an idea of either how to hang on for dear life, or how to fall off without getting too seriously injured. If you already have the skill to hang on, good job, this essay is not meant for you. However, if you consistently have the problem of falling off (otherwise known as getting pitched), then you may find the following information rather useful.
Any horse may at any given time become spooky, (spooky meaning that he or she gets scared and startles easily). The cause of this spookiness is usually unknown to the rider, but whatever the origin, it usually spreads to any other horse in the vicinity and a general panic ensues. The rider, if incapable of reigning in his or her mount, then finds his or herself in one of two rather undesirable situations; either being on a runaway horse, or getting pitched to the ground. The first situation isn’t too bad as long as the rider is able to stay on the horse and avoid any trees, sticker bushes, or low-hanging branches. When the horse does finally stop, either on its own or by the rider’s instruction, the worst thing that the person can be left with is a good adrenaline rush. But if the second situation occurs, the rider ought to be prepared to take a few flying lessons from the horse.
If you find yourself in this unwanted schooling, sailing in a ridiculous manner from the back of your mount into the unforgiving ground below, you are not left with many options. The best thing you can do in a time like this is to execute a tuck-and-roll-“I’ve got the rein!” maneuver. The most crucial part of this scheme is to remember to tuck and roll. If this step is left out, you may find yourself seeing stars or blacking out, neither of which is very desirable. To perform this feat, all you must do is bring you chin to your chest, trying to hit the ground with your shoulder, which is much better than your head. Now simply do a somersault. That should be easy considering the momentum one usually has at this point. Then, if you must, lay on the ground for a moment and catch your breath. But really, if you can, it would be better to be back on your feet as soon as possible, so you can regain control of your horse. The next part, “I’ve got the rein!”, is also of critical importance, unless you wish to be walking back home. Horses have a tendency to take off and head for the barn after they realize that there is no longer a rider on their back. That is why it is very important to hang onto at least one rein at all costs! This emphasizes the significant issue of returning to your feet as soon as you can; you don’t want to be dragged along the ground by your “Heading for Home” horse, do you?
Once you have successfully accomplished the tuck-and-roll-“I’ve got the rein!” plan, you must then muster whatever dignity you might have left and get back on your stubborn beast. By doing this, you will probably thoroughly surprise and frustrate your horse, who most likely thought you were off for good. But don’t be fooled by your mount’s suddenly calm demeanor when you get back on. It won’t last long, for your horse has now no doubtedly determined that it must work harder next time to try to get and keep you off its back. And maybe next time, you will be able to hang on. But if not, you always have your trusty tuck-and-roll-“I’ve got the rein!” maneuver that you can do.
Back to English Essays.
