Taking Rein over Paddy

Once I took control of Paddy it was an exhilarating experience. It was a moment I've been waiting for when I finally confronted the beast. Over the years I gradually came to the realization that I had to confront this desire of mine and find a way to learn how to control such an animal when at one time I didn't really care for. It's a long history and I'll explain it later.  Confronted I did. And that was recently a few days ago on Saturday during a lovely warm day on a 20 acre ranch out in the green, rolling country hills of Missouri. 

With my worn cowboy boots I had for many years snuggly fit inside the stirrups I sat high up and comfortable on a saddle with Paddy, a young horse that was a few years old. I knew there was a risk when it came to controlling Paddy on my command since he wasn't used to having a stranger on his back but the owner of the horse was sure his horse was broken enough not to show any temperament while I had my fun for the day. Paddy has been in training for the past 10 months for a show competition called Reining.

Reining is a judged event designed to show the athletic ability of a ranch type horse within the confines of a show arena. In NRHA competition, contestants are required to run one of ten approved patterns, included in the NRHA Handbook.


Each pattern includes small slow circles, large fast circles, flying lead changes, roll backs over the hocks, 360 degree spins done in place, and exciting sliding stops that are the hallmark of the reining horse.


The NRHA Judging System is recognized as the leading format for judging an equine event that combines technical and stylistic elements coupled with consideration of "degree of difficulty". Many segments of the equine judging discipline have openly embraced the NRHA Judging System.

Here's a video of how Reining is done.

While trotting around I wondered if other deaf people used sign language to communicate with their horses just as those who have done that with dogs but I digress. There are after all deaf and hoh people who love horses and ride them, too.



After trotting awhile I was satisfied knowing that I was able to control Paddy with ease. So I tried spinning a few times in both directions. Backed him up. Trotted some more. A slight gallop. And then a trot. And finally got into position for a classic photo shoot of me with Paddy.

After that experience I got off and verbally thanked the horse for allowing me that opportunity and patted him. My good friend, Jason, was next. He got up and had his fun, too.

The horse riding was a part of my vacation out in the midwest. I had a great time and the next time I go I look forward to an all day horse riding experience with my new friends I made on that trip along with a good friend friend of mine who made this day possible. Thank you, Jason!

Now, I can't wait for my next horse riding experience. I think my inner cowboy is beginning to surface now. Just feels so natural riding a horse. Such a simple thing can be so pleasurable and fun.

"Mulo" - ironic word of the day/week/month/year for current administration

By Michael Ramirez


New ironic but actual word of the day/month/year/ that describes the current administration:

mulo.

According to the Real Academia Espagnola mulo has two meanings in Spanish. The first meaning is “mule” from Latin mulus. The second meaning of mulo is “a person characterized by strength and vigour”.

(Del lat. mulus).

1. m. Hijo de caballo y burra o de asno y yegua, casi
siempre estéril. (Translated via Google translator: Son of horse and donkey or ass and mare, almost
always sterile.)

2. m. coloq. Persona fuerte y vigorosa. (Translated via Google translator: Strong and vigorous person.)

For some reason the two definitions certainly don’t mesh well together nowadays, does it? Just find it rather amusing to see the whole irony behind the word "mulo." Especially with the health care reform Trojan donkey. Go figure!