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I was very active with horses since I was 13. I had 300 miles of endurance runs under my belt, showed regularly, trained, chased jackrabbits through apricot orchards. You couldnt keep me off a horse and there was no horse I was afraid of.

This came crashing down Sept 1997 when I got lupus and subsequently kidney failure. I struggled to stay working, I had a transplant in 2000 and started my breeding ranch. I had a wonderful stud, had him professionally trained for 60 days but my confidence was shattered. I could not bring myself to ride him or any horse for that matter. Only one horse, Missy, I could ride without too much issue.

Everything came to a screeching halt and I and finally had to go onto disability in 2013.

Thats when I had to get rid of my horses, and subsequently lost ALL of my confidence.

My horses got out one day and I went to round them up a mile away in a neighbors field, which would be another mile or two to go around and bring them home. I put the halter and lead on Missy and climbed up o her. Bless her heart, I love this horse! Every time she would feel me lose my balance, she would stop and allow me to regain it. She found better ground to go through even if it meant going through thorny stuff.

My daughter got a Thooughbred which was supposed to be a good trail horse. I decided to try him out. He was being stupid on the ground and I thought to myself what am I getting into. I steeled myself up and rode. We rode fro about 3 miles down the road and the 3 miles back. But I did it!! He was pretty good, so that put my confidence back a little.

Here is my big accomplishment, I had this horse, Part Arab, named Annie. I rescued her from going to a kill pen. I had her for 3 years now. Did some on ground training with her, but never got on her. Until today!!! She was stupid at some things, but I think once I get more confidence I can do this. She actually made me want to ride more. Thank you Annie.

So, no matter what happens to you in life, you can stiill overcome it and do what you have pleasure. at. This is what I learned today.

Happy Trails everyone~~