The Rhythm of a Ride

On August 7, 2004, I had my first and so far, only horse ride.

It was a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. My carpool and I went to the Hollywood Sunset Ranch where we met the rest of the folks who signed up for this group activity.

I remember that I was very nervous doing it. I had *no* experience with horses and riding so I relied upon the guides and my determination to see through the experience. I was assigned a horse named Smokey for a beginner like me.

It was quite an experience riding the trails at dusk, some of of which felt a bit steep. It was also quite challenging to learn how or when to pull the reigns without it being a confusing or dangerous maneuver for me or Smokey. I think the one incident that was really nerve-racking for me was when the group was trying to gather in a spot where suddenly, the horses started to get restless. One of the big horses bit Smokey's rear end, or was it the other way around? Regardless, I saw a gnarled horse's mouth with exposed teeth. The commotion exposed me to the fact that I was at the mercy of a *big* animal with primal instincts of attack and defense. The guides were able to calm my horse and the other, but for a split second, I felt scared and my heart was pounding wildly.

After dinner as we rode back to the ranch, I had a glimpse of the city lights. They flickered beautifully against the darkness ... like glittering multi-colored pebbles and sands in the glowing ocean of the evening sky.

I remember the uphill trail where we were cloaked in darkness and the only sounds were the horses' clip-clopping hooves and their breaths and the awareness of our collective togetherness towards our return to the ranch. That was a moment when I felt most faraway from the city, where the faint, pearly light that guided our way came from the moon and the stars.

When we reached our destination, I patted and said goodbye to Smokey, thanked our guides with tips and brushed off what I could of the ghostly dust that shrouded me. My carpool and I drove quietly and contentedly back to the city.

It was nearly midnight when I arrived home. I took a refreshing shower as I recalled my first horse ride. It was a memorable experience, and especially unforgettable in the next few days as I recovered from a sore behind.

For a while, I wondered how it would be like to have a horse, with my newfound awe and respect for them as amazing creatures.

But then deep down, I think that I am, and always will be, a city girl.