Entering My Horsegirl Era
Don’t let your dreams be dreams!
Table of Contents
Horseback Riding
LA Arboretum
Grunion Run
Quail Hill
Horseback Riding
I’m finally living my childhood dreams and taking western horseback riding lessons! A few people have told me I should take up a sport or go to the gym… so here I am! Surprisingly, the horse world mostly works through word of mouth. After making a bunch of calls, someone eventually passed along a list of trainers who were still taking students and that’s how I found my trainer! I wouldn’t have found her otherwise since she doesn’t really advertise and just relies on people sharing her name around. She’s a professional D1 barrel racer and seriously amazing. I already know I have so much to learn from her.
I was excited to be back at the barn again but honestly a little surprised at how much I had forgotten. Each lesson starts with getting the horse from the stall, grooming, and tacking. What used to be muscle memory now takes active thinking. The other day, I grabbed the saddle before putting on the saddle pad, and my trainer, who was literally on the phone, casually tossed the pad on for me without missing a beat. Meanwhile, I was just standing there completely embarrassed. Total rookie mistake. I guess I’m learning everything from the ground up again.
The palomino quarter horse on the left is Coach. She’s super patient and sweet, but she’s definitely not a fan of working. It takes a lot of effort on my part to get her trotting or loping, and she doesn’t need to be told twice when it’s time to stop!
The red roan (I think?) quarter horse on the right is Maverick. Also a sweetheart and he loves to please and is always ready to go. I think he recognizes me now. When I go to his stall, he’s usually standing at the far end, but as soon as he sees me, he’ll nicker and come running up to the gate to say hi! <3
The first few lessons were kind of discouraging because I just couldn’t sit the trot. I was bouncing all over the place and couldn’t figure out how to sit it correctly. It’s one of those things you really have to feel for yourself. People can describe it a million ways, but nothing prepares you like actually trying it. Having a good trainer definitely helps though. I think I can sit a slow trot now, but it’s still my weak spot. To help with that, my trainer had me ride her personal horse, Daisy, bareback to better feel the horse’s movement. Walking was fine, but the second she started trotting I immediately started slipping off. I had no grip and nothing to hold onto. She noted that I need to work more on my core strength.
Loping/cantering on the other hand is so much fun! It’s faster but somehow easier to sit. When I’m in the saddle, it feels like I’m flying through the wind at 30 mph. Then I watched a video of myself… and realized I was probably going closer to 10 mph, if that.
I definitely need to get stronger. The horses barely break a sweat while I’m constantly out of breath by the end of each lesson. And I know what you’re about to say!! The horses are doing all the work, you’re just sitting there! But let me tell you, riding is a full-body workout. I don’t get saddle sore anymore thankfully, but my core is still sore after every ride. In fact, after my lesson I made dinner and then just completely crashed on my couch until I woke up to my morning alarm and realized I needed to get ready for work. How do you sportsy/gym people do it? What’s your secret??
Now I’m always counting down the days until my next lesson at the barn and the horses always bring a smile to my face. I still have a lot to learn before I master the basics, but here’s a list of what I hope to do (realistically or unrealistically):
Half-lease a horse to go on solo trail rides regularly (and go birdwatching haha)
Move/wrangle cattle at a dude ranch (actually going in August)
Go on multiday horseback packing in the Sierra Nevada backcountry (probably next year)
Learn barrel racing???
Buy a horse????
Album Pre-release at LA Arboretum
This wasn’t really nature-related but I thought the event venue was fitting. One of my favorite bands was releasing a new album this year and offered a special invite-only pre-release listening event. They sent out a sign-up form and I figured the odds were impossibly low, but I entered anyway. A few days later, I got an email saying I was selected! The exact location and time were going to be sent out closer to the date.
When the details came through, I rushed out of work, battled LA traffic, and finally arrived at the LA Arboretum. I honestly thought it was the perfect venue. The Arboretum is known for its free-roaming peacocks, and sure enough, one greeted me in the parking lot and walked me all the way to the entrance like he was my feathered escort. At check-in, the staff took my name and locked away my phone to prevent any leaks. I loved the entire album but the funniest part was every time there was a heavy metal riff or drop, a chorus of peacock calls would erupt from the trees in the dark. They were probably telling us it's dark out, please shut up already. Everyone laughed every time it happened and I think it added a nice element to the whole experience.
I couldn’t take any photos but they released a promo video of the event and I found myself in one of the shots, heh! They also gave us a metal token with a feather on it to commemorate the event. Very fitting!
Grunion Run
During the spring and summer months, a magical event occurs under the light of the full moon, the Grunion Run. As high tide waves break on the beach, grunion swim as far up the slope as possible to spawn. California grunion are found only along the coast of Southern California and northern Baja California and unlike other fish, they come completely out of the water to lay their eggs in the sand.
The biologist from the Wildlife Refuge that I volunteer at invited people to join her on observing one of the grunion runs along Surfside Beach at midnight and I decided to join. Another cool night time beach activity!
Quail Hill
Birdwatching Notes:
Learned to listen for the Grasshopper Sparrow call. Unless someone pointed it out, I probably wouldn’t have noticed it. I need better hearing…
Two blue gems: Blue Grosbeak and Lazuli Bunting
Amazing views of two White-Tailed Kites!
Saw a male Mule Deer!
