The air has been crisp, cool, and refreshing.  It was just right for a Saturday horse back ride.  So, we saddled up Zan and Jessie and headed out for a relaxing ride.  'Course before we could go, we had to brush Savannah and Fancy, they were not excited at all about being left behind.  When we ride in their pasture, they can follow along and enjoy the company as we ride.  We decided we hadn't ridden the back trails over by neighbors, and it was such a beautiful day to ride through the woodland trails so we took the guys out of the pasture to ride, and left those unhappy mares to graze.

    It was just a beautiful day, sunny, cool, invigorating.  The horses were responding well, so headed on to the trails.  We took the back trail along the back fence.  Zan was leading and responding well, even though he hadn't been ridden a lot lately.  Jessie too was responding well under Richie's direction.  A little ways up the trail we traded spots, and Jessie took the lead.  Zan and I thought it was a good ideas, since the spiders have been extra busy building all kinds of beautiful webs getting ready for the cooler wether to come, and that way Richie and Jessie could clear all the webs out of our paths.  Nothing but sheer joy as we rode.

    We made it down to the little stream in the woods that we have to cross.  It was Jessie's first time crossing the stream, and he just didn't want to cross over.   I told Richie to let me take Zan on across because he was acting a little antsy while we were waiting.  Zan crossed right over and I had hopped Jessie would follow us, seeing that it was okay with Zan, but still no luck.  Richie had to lead him across.  We'd try again on the way back home. 

    Well Zan and I cleared a couple of spider webs since we were again in the lead at this time.   We went on up and met one of our neighbors out doing Saturday chores (weed eating) .   We took a little time to chat and Zan took the time to have a couple of big shakes.  His whole body quivered as the muscles under his skinned shook.  I thought he was going to shake me right off his back.  I've never noticed him doing that before, so I'm not sure why he was doing it.  Since we had just gone through those spider webs, I thought, hummmm....maybe it's the spider web...or a spider crawling on him???

    We finished our chat and rode on.  Zan did the shaking thing a couple of more times.  We we got over by another neighbor's house, I stopped and got off and stretched my legs, and checked him over.  We didn't see anything out of the ordinary.  He was kind of sweaty, and I thought, maybe it's just the sweat running down his legs tickling.  He hasn't been ridden a lot lately, and even though it was a cooler day, he was really sweating a lot, more even than when I had ridden him last month when it was much hotter. 

    We went on up to our neighbor's arena and rode (walked) the barrel path and chatted a few minutes.  My neighbor even looked him over when he did another shiver there.  Still no reason that we can see.  So we continued our ride.   After that stop, Zan began to get a little more antsy, but we continued on.  There was another still stream we tried Jessie on, but he still wasn't keen on the water crossing today.  So, we'll add that to our list to work with him on.  Finally we were headed toward home.  We had just gone through our neighbor's gate near the water crossing on the return trip.  My wonderful Knight, Richie, the gentleman that he is, had opened the gate and let me pass through.  He was closing it and remounting.  Zan was getting impatient, I don't know if he was just tired, sweaty and wanted to go home, but anyway he was getting more and more antsy.  He also had spooked about 3-4 times today. 

    I turned him around and was waiting for Richie and Jessie to get closer, hoping that Jessie would see Zan cross the stream and follow him across.  Well, Zan got a little head strong.  He didn't want to wait even though I made him.  I could see Richie and Jessie coming around the little bend behind us, so I began to let Zan head back on the trail to cross the stream only about 10 feet away.  Zan wanted to trot right away, and I didn't want to trot over to the rock laden stream and jump it today....I just wanted a nice easy walk across the stream....Zan  balked and stomped his foot and I corrected him.  Then we started again. 

      The next thing I knew Zan spooked, and then was rearing up in the air.  My first thought was is there a snake?  I made the mistake of looking down as he was going up and up...and back... and I lost my sense of balance and direction...MY thoughts flashed...he's coming back and is going to roll with me on him...I don't want to be rolled on by my 1000 pound horse, I've got to get off and out of his way...WHAM!!! I hid the ground flat on my back...OUCH!....breath knocked out...adrenalin flowing...my mind is thinking....I've got to move before he rolls... Richie's already off his trusty steed and at my side telling me to stay still, it's okay the horses are out of the way.    I'm trying to catch my breath...trying to assess the situation....

       I think I am okay.  It hurts, I can feel the adrenalin rush,  I can still feel my body, I lay still...I'm a little scared.   Richie tells me to stay still and he secures the horses...indeed Zan has crossed the stream on his own, but is waiting on the other side.  I just knew he had ran for home. 

       Slowly Richie helps me up.  The adrenalin is still pumping.  I'm a little light headed.   I go and sit back down for a spell.  I don't want to get back on my horse.  I don't want to fall again.  I try to get Richie to take the horses and just let me sit there and come back for me.  But he wont' leave.  So we wait a few more minutes.  We are still a good piece from the house.  Finally, I feel I have my head and we walk toward the house.   I know I can use the adrenaline rush to get me home.  It's a long walk, but not too hard.  I am so happy when I see the barn ahead, I know I can make it.  Richie unsaddled the horses and took them back to the pasture...giving Zan a good lecture the whole way....and I took a rest on the front porch.   Relieved...I think I'm going to be okay, but the soreness is already settling into my back. 

     I went on in and took a shower, we fixed supper, and just rested.  Sunday morning...well, I missed church...I was putting ice packs on my sore back.   I think I'll be stove-up for a few days, but hopefully not too bad.  I'm aggravated at myself for coming off the horse.  I should have never looked at the ground...I forgot about my hold on the reins...I could have let up and he may have come down... I really don't like the option, that we could have leaped across the stream...If I had fallen there there were rocks to hit and it could have been worse.  I am just thankful that I am okay.

    So my nice fall ride....had a bit too much fall in it....but it's all a part of having horses...sometimes you're going to take a fall.  The older I get, I just worry more about breaking a bone.  I still don't know why Zan was so skiddish, spooky, or shaky...Maybe he just needs to be ridden more... and maybe we should only take shorter rides when we haven't been out riding for a while.