I just have to share this
I have to share this
I just have to share this. This painting of a horse named Dan is one of my most favorite I have done to date. It’s such a favorite because A….. The Sumi ink and paint just worked exactly right. It flowed where I wanted it to flow without a lot of pushing it around. It’s like magic when that happens. It doesn’t happen all the time so when it does that’s really special. And B… I have a fear of horses, love them but scared of them they are so big and I can’t tell what they are thinking
The best part of this whole painting is that I can work on getting over my fear of horses and part of that is learning to ride. I rode this same horse Dan on the day I delivered the painting to them. Well I say rode. I really sat on his back and someone lead him around the paddock. I rocked to and fro on his back hoping the person leading Dan won’t make a too sharp turn because I was sure I’d fall off.
The way this stable, LaDawn Therapeutic Riding Center, works with new riders is they put just 2 blankets on the horse and strap it on. The strap at the top has 2 handles so the rider, me in this case, has something to hold on to. For those familiar with horses I’m sure the “strap” has a proper name but I have forgotten it at the moment. You’re not supposed to really hold on to the handles but they are there if you need them, for whatever reason. The idea is to feel the horse move and learn to move with them. I found you kind move your body like your walking like the horse walks. It’s a beautiful rhythm like dancing but it takes some getting used too.
There I sat. I had no idea how much of your body you use when balancing on the back of a horse. I could feel muscles I didn’t know I had after the ride. I was told to take some aspirin when I got home because I could be real stiff. I found didn’t need any. I remember thinking while on back of the horse, all I wanted to do was get off. Once off I just wanted to get back on. Now I can’t wait till I try it again. Well I think I can’t wait…