Win or Lose: A Horse’s First Saddle Adventure
By: A Very Opinionated Horse
Y’all, gather ‘round! I’ve got a story to tell. You know, being a horse isn’t always the glamorous life that people think it is. Sure, I get to graze on lush green pastures and bask in the warm sunshine, but sometimes… well, sometimes people try to put things on me. And when they first brought out that thing they call a “saddle,” I knew something was about to go terribly wrong.
It all started on a quiet, sunny morning, when I was minding my own business, munching on some high-quality grass. Ah, life’s good, I thought. But then, from the corner of my eye, I saw it. That big, scary leather thing with straps and buckles, shining in the sunlight like a beast ready to pounce. The owners, who I’ve come to trust (mostly) because they feed me, were grinning like they were up to no good.
"Okay, Win," said one of them. "It’s time for your first saddle ride."
I froze. My ears perked up. “Did you just say saddle? As in, on me? On MY back?”
They seemed oblivious to my growing concerns. One of them reached for the saddle, and I did what any self-respecting horse would do—I ran. Naturally, they chased me down, but I’m fast, I’m nimble, and I wasn’t going down without a fight.
There I was, galloping around the corral like a prize-winning racehorse, they were trailing behind like a pack of confused chickens. But no matter how fast I ran, they were determined. And soon, I found myself cornered—trapped. That’s when the moment of truth arrived.
One of them, bless their heart, was trying to calm me down. "It’s going to be okay, Win. Just a little saddle, that’s all."
I stared at them with wide, panicked eyes. “Oh, so you think it’s going to be okay? I’ve read about this. I know how this ends! With me, plummeting through the air with somebody flailing on my back like a ragdoll.”
But they weren’t listening. Before I could take off again, they had already plopped the saddle onto my back. Well, that wasn’t so bad, I thought. It didn’t feel that terrible. But just as I started to relax a bit, I felt a pressure on my belly. What in the world was that?! It was like someone was trying to squeeze the life out of me with a hundred tiny ropes!
“Hey, hey! What’s going on here?!” I snorted, dancing in place. "This is not okay. I’ve had burrs, dirt, and the occasional wasp sting, but this—this is torture!"
Then came the cinch. Now, let me tell you, I’m a horse who’s not easily intimidated. I’ve faced down cows, dogs, and even the occasional bobcat (don’t ask). But this? This was next level. The cinch tightened, and I felt like I was being stuffed into a too-small pair of jeans. I did a little hop to try and shake it off, but no luck. These guys were persistent!
“Alright, Win, you’re looking great,” one of them said, patting me on the neck like we were in a horse fashion show. “Now, let’s try walking around with the saddle.”
I glanced over at the other horses who were watching me from the fence. Their expressions were like, “Good luck, buddy,” and “You’re on your own, pal.”
I took my first step. Wobble. Then another. Wobble. This saddle was not like a comfy blanket, let me tell you. It was hard, unforgiving, and it squeaked in places that no saddle should squeak. But I wasn’t going to show weakness. No, not me. I kept walking, because if there’s one thing I’ve learned on this ranch, it’s that you never let them see you sweat.
Suddenly, there was a click. Someone was trying to mount me. You know, like the cowboys do in the movies. Right, I thought. “Sure, let’s see how this goes.”
Well, he wasn't exactly graceful about it. He missed the stirrup and ended up on the ground. I looked down at him, giving my best “I told you so” expression. But he was undeterred and tried again. This time, he managed to swing into the saddle, but only after an impressive amount of swearing.
Now, it was my turn to shine. I decided to give him a little “test.” You know, just to see if he was truly prepared for this. I took a couple of extra enthusiastic steps. A little jiggle here, a little shake there, just to make sure he knew I was in charge.
You should have seen his face when I jumped, turned sharply and sent him bouncing off to the side. For a second, I thought he might fall off, but no—he managed to stay on somehow. Victory, of sorts.
But, of course, I wasn't done yet. He kept trying, and after some embarrassing bucking, side-eyeing, and a few circles around the corral, I finally gave in and let him believe he’d “tamed” me.
In the end, I was a little impressed. He stayed on, and I didn’t have to drag him through the dirt—well, not much, anyway. And as I trotted around the ranch with my new saddle, I realized that life wasn’t so bad. Sure, it’s a little uncomfortable, and sure, I’ve got some work to do if I’m going to start carrying cowboys like a pro, but hey, I’m a horse of my word. I’ll give it another go tomorrow.
But for now? I’m going to lay down and roll!
So, there you have it! Life is full of firsts—some are funny, some are uncomfortable, and some leave you wondering why on Earth you signed up for this ranch life in the first place. But at least, with a little persistence, a bit of humor, and a trusty saddle from Connolly Saddlery, I’ll be ready for whatever any cowboy throws my way next.
Until then, I’m sticking to my pasture and some grass, while looking forward to more grain and another enticing treat that they gave me for doing so good!
Win out. 🐴
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