Monday, September 03, 2007

Bridle Path

I don't know how prevalent such horse-riding paths are in other parts of the world, but I've seen them in other parts of the U.K. It can get a bit alarming when you enter Rozelle Park across this Bridle Path and there is a large horse (or horses) 'charging' towards you.

This is looking South...


and this is looking North.

2 comments:

Katya said...

That is an AWESOME bridle path! Oh, how I miss riding. When I lived a short distance from my hometown, I had a friend who had horses. We rode nearly every day, as she had been laid off from her job. We rode through the woods, along the roads, and even through small villages. Oh, the tales I could tell!!!
Where we live now, there is an area about 25 miles away where people live in modern million dollar "castles" and spoiled princesses take riding lessons and the horses live in very nicely appointed "barns" and pastures. So different from what I was accustomed to previously.
Life has certainly changed a good deal!
And yes, seeing a horse coming "at" you is a rather intimidating experience!!! The good news is that horses usually stop when the see someone in their path!!

Katya said...

Ah, what the hay? I will try to be terse....

My friend had a gentle giant of a horse named Cajun. Cajun was gentle, but STUBBORN as a MULE! When I rode this horse, he was so large, my legs nearly stuck out straight to the sides! (I am only 5'2")
One bright sunny afternoon, Jo and I decided to ride. We rode over near her pond. Cajun at this point, decided to stand completely still. Neither nudging his sides, slapping his rear, clucking, screaming nor bribery was going to move this huge horse.
I relaxed and was laughing; it seemed so hilarious, as Jo was getting irate with this monster of hers.
There was an Amishman doing work on the house for Jo's father and he had come outside to take a break.
As stubborn as Cajun was, he VERY suddenly decided he was going to take off! He bolted so quickly, my tush hopped out of the saddle, and I was suddenly sitting atop his incredibly large rear end!
Cajun, in his wonderful wisdom, chose to race at a full trot around the pond, not once of twice, but SEVERAL times.
I was basically lying down in a prone position, hanging on to his mane, and laughing so hard, I could nearly keep myself mounted!
The Amishman, in complete gleeful abandon, was doubled over...
Jo was screaming to hang on. What a sight!
As quickly as he bolted, Cajun came to a dead stop. The Amishman came running over, face as "sullen" as possible to inquire if I was all right.
It was that very same day that I finally took Jo's advice and decided to ride bareback after my wild ride in(no....BEHIND!!!!) a Western saddle!!!!