When I thanked him his comment was, "After seeing that fall, I wasn't sure where to touch that wouldn't hurt you."
I like to think of myself as a bit of a cowgirl, but getting bucked off twice yesterday, I'm almost ready to stay seated in my chair and only write about wild rides on equines and the taste of dirt in the mouth.
Keyword--almost.
My friend who also has horses suggested that there might have been something under the saddle blanket to make my usually calm and unflappable horse toss me twice. As much as I didn't like letting her get away with throwing me, after the second time I hit the ground I couldn't get back on, physically.
My hero didn't see the first toss. He was busy in the house drawing up a septic drain field for the house we're in the process of building. I called him out after I caught Lily and asked him to hold her while I got on. She danced a bit and I finally made it back in the saddle. He let go and we did three circles where I usually lunge her. In hindsight, I probably should have lunged her more rather than crawled back on. When I stopped to get off, she started bucking and took me through a tree. I don't know if it was an 8 second ride, but it felt like an eternity before I couldn't hold on an longer and hit the ground.
My hero ran to my side and waited for me to even feel like getting off the ground, then stood stoically as I grabbed hold of his pocket and dragged my battered body off the ground. He then leaned me against a pick up and headed after the horse. By the time Lily ran back my direction, I could hobble enough to corner and catch her. I pulled the bridle and saddle off and handed the lead rope to my hero. He led her off to a corral by herself.
When he returned to the house he said, "Take a hot shower and wash the blood off your face." I had washed my face. I have a long scratch from once side of my face to the other that runs under my nose, making me look like I have a bloody nose and smeared it. Not a pretty sight.
We were traveling the rest of the day, but he stopped extra times to let me get out and worked out the sore muscles.
Sometimes in real life and in a romance novel, the littlest of things can make a person a hero in the heroine's eyes.
What little thing has a hero done for you?
www.patyjager.net
Writing into the Sunset Blog
My hero cooks and does his laundry so I have more time to write. Not small things, but he does so much to encourage me. It may sound trite, but little things do mean a lot.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, Mine doesn't help with domestic things but he does realize writing is my dream and honors that. I think when your hubby believes in your dreams he is hero material.
DeleteWhat a wonderful story, Paty. I'm with Caroline. My hero does dishes and laundry as well when the pile gets too big because I've had my nose stuck in a book. And he can always be counted on to make me laugh, pulling me out of whatever bad mood I'm in. I agree. It really is the small things.
ReplyDeleteTrue! It is the small things that matter.
DeleteI went off a horse voluntarily when I was much younger and it was a barn sour horse who started to run whenever it was headed for the barn. I didn't get bucked. I opted to dismount (on soft ground) while the horse was running rather than end up a highway on a horse withwhich I had zero control. My hero got on that horse and let me ride his back to the barn.
ReplyDeleteRain, That's a great story! Glad you didn't get bucked off. Jumping his less painful! And a hero is someone who will ride the nasty horse and give up their own.
DeleteAll I can says is super OUCH! You are amazing, Paty, as is your husband. I hope you figure out what is going on with your horse.
ReplyDeleteHi Maggie,
DeleteThank you for the kind words. We do think that quite possibly there was something either under the blanket or on the cinch that may have caused her to be so uncharacteristic. All I know is that mare can buck!
Wow, getting bucked off is no picnic. Kudos to you for getting back on, and congrats for not being injured more seriously.
ReplyDeleteHey Joan, Thanks. I"m actually starting to feel normal.
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