Horses, riding, and other reasons why I need to stretch

As you know, I started riding lessons about 18 months ago. I went from a timid rider who barely posted to a trot, to now cantering on my favorite polo pony Frederica, who I will be leasing over the holidays. Riding has given me a new confidence. I haven't fallen yet, but I'm sure I'm due. As they say, it takes three falls to be a true rider. I guess I'm not even close.

I ride twice a week, for an hour on Wednesdays and a half hour on Fridays. All that riding has given me a strong legs but I'm usually sore for a couple of days afterwards. I'd just sit on the couch, say "ow ow ow" when I tried to walk, but otherwise wouldn't do anything about it.

Then a good friend of mine, after hearing me whine about my sore muscles for the hundredth time, finally said: "Why don't you stretch?"

Hmm. Why don't I stretch? I didn't even think of that. So I started slowly. I couldn't believe how much flexibility I'd lost over the last few months. But as I began to regain my flexibility, I realized how much less sore I was after each lesson. Less soreness, less whining. Win win for everyone.

Stretching. Who knew?

Oh, and the ribbons and trophy above? I won those in October - a first, a second, and class champion. After my performance last year, I never expected to do so well.

And yes, I stretched afterwards. Ahhhh.