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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Mighty inspiring. I would love to find a way to get back to horseback riding. The opportunities are surprisingly few where I live (in Idaho! Cowboy country!) but there must be a way . . .

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

If and when you get to this point, it might also be fun to explore https://duderanch.org/app/uploads/2022/03/Directory-copy-for-Website-Downloads.pdf

There are lots of options. Just for a backburner.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

LOVE it! One of the best vacations my late husband and I took with our boys, ages 11 and 5 at the time, was to a dude ranch.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Jan, I am out on the Coast hiking the dunes. Please fire me a reminder to circle back to you with resources. Chances are I can help. I used to live in Spokane so close to the panhandle. If you can let me know what city or town you're close to I will happily get you some suggestions. I just got back from an outfitters conference and I have some people I can

ask. I was going to do that anyway but now I have an additional reason. Your call- and to progress your privacy you can find contact information for me on my blog WalkboutSaga.com if you don't want to identify where you are.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

Thanks!! I'm nowhere near the panhandle, but I think I may have already stumbled upon a good natural horsemanship-based lesson stable within reasonable distance -- thanks to your prodding!

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I am starting up with a brand-new stable here in the area. I would be delighted to hear about your experiences. That is exactly what I write about, as you know. Welcome to the return of very sore butts!

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

HA! Based on my most recent experiences, I can HIGHLY recommend wearing padded cycling undies and using anti-chafe gel for one's nether regions. Those (along with the wondrously smooth gait of the wee horse) made a two-hour ride in Iceland utterly pain-free.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I did three weeks in Iceland by horse, so you can understand why I am a fan of this comment. I agree with your suggestions, AND: if anyone gets serious about doing this more, consider: you can buy a sheepskin saddle cover which will fit over most saddles. I had one custom made for an English saddle out of super thick skin, and it also worked for every other saddle I've ridden. And it has quite literally saved my ass. The one I had made, I went to a saddlery, where there was someone who could also make custom chaps.

Those horses have the most marvelous fifth gait. If you haven't already, Jan, and I'll bet you have, the Paso Llano has the same kind of gait but it sits very differently.

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Jan M. Flynn's avatar

I have not! But I'm VERY interested in gaited breeds, so hopefully I'll get that chance. I adored riding at the tolt!

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Chaos and Calm Chronicles's avatar

I love the quote: You and I are Way Too Old to spend the rest of our days watching other people live interesting lives. It's going to be a little mantra for me moving forward. Thank you for this beautiful article.

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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

I think there's a part of each of us which has been addicted and which has handed over irretrievable time to pursuits which harm us that needs to hear this. Time to play.

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

We get stronger, more flexible in each adventure

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Dec 13, 2023
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JULIA HUBBEL's avatar

Thanks Aleshia. My hope is to pry as many butts off the couch as possible- there is so much life out there to be had.

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