I remember begging and begging my parents to be allowed to take riding lessons. Unfortunately, due to a run-in with cancer as a toddler, my doctors had expressly forbade activities which could lead to major falls or blows. Horseback riding in particular was on the list.
I don't recall fully understanding the gravity of the situation. So I'm sure I must have drove my parents crazy. I remember many trips to petting zoos, as well as an extensive collection of My Little Ponys. I'm sure now that they were trying to placate me.
As an adult, I finally understand why I'm to be careful... but I still don't want to. I want to take riding lessons! And I want to learn a martial art! I do have the sense, however, to realize that this is probably just a feeling of "the grass is greener on the other side" syndrome.
When I was in Korea, I got married. And for our honeymoon we went to Jeju Island. Our tour offered stops where we could choose out of a couple activities. One of these choices was between ATV'ing and Horseback riding. My husband immediately voted ATV'ing. Now I love ATV'ing. Having spent part of my childhood in Newfoundland, I had a bit of experience with that. And my parents (being protective) rarely allowed me to drive. So I wanted to vote for ATV'ing. BUT.. why was it up against horseback riding?? My childhood dream vs. my need for speed. I bugged my hubby enough that he finally asked the tour guide if we could do both.. and threw in that it was our honeymoon. After a quick vote on the bus, everyone said we could take the extra time. (yay!)
We went for the horses first. It was a little bit of a letdown, to be quite honest. The mares were saddled up and waiting, and they were as wide as they were long. Considering they had foals following them around, I'd say they recently had babies, or were again pregnant. I could barely coax a trot out of mine at first.. it didn't speak English, nor did it seem to care for more than a slow, meandering walk. I finally got it to go a bit faster, whereas it started bolting in the other direction, leaving Eric to fend for himself.
That over, we went over to go ATV'ing. The man said that he'd go slow so we'd have no problems. I told my husband to tell him that I wanted to go fast. He was a little flabbergasted, but agreed. My hubby looked a bit nervous because it was his first time, so I said he could go last out of us three.
The leader took off and I made sure to be right on his heels.. He glanced behind with a shocked expression and gave it the gas. It was loads of fun! Lots of hills and hairpin turns.. Apparently my husband almost flipped his over a couple times... till he learned to ease off the gas on the turns :)
We had a nice coating of dirt by the end of it, but it was fun.
Next time I'll vote for ATV'ing unless the horses aren't pregnant :)
