Riding Lessons: Things I Learned While Horsing Around by Michelle Eames is a fun and informative memoir about the author’s journey with horses.
Michelle Ames has always loved horses and acquired her first one when she was 12. From then on it has been a succession of horses. As an adult she acquired an Appoloosa she named Koda, later Kissi, a part-Arabian, then later a variety of horses including two Norwegian Fjords, one of the world’s oldest breeds.
Told with humor, the author describes her journey with horses, how she learned from them as they learned about dealing with humans. She writes of the adventures she’s experienced—both delightful and not-so-great. Michelle rides dressage, a style that emphasizes precision and harmony between the horse and rider. She’s taken lessons and writes about the different movements, hopefully executed in a controlled manner. Well, anyway, that’s the goal.
The expense of owning horses is notable. Not counting the cost of buying the animal itself, there’s a saddle and other tack, riding boots, a barn or building to shelter the horse, hay, acreage for exercise and grazing, which necessitates fencing, a truck and trailer, and regular vet and farrier (person who trims hooves) bills. Owning horses is a financial commitment. Still, for Michelle, the love of horses outweighs the costs.
The author lives in Eastern Washington so experiences some cold weather, even snow. She discusses the long winters, and later the subsequent mud. In good riding weather, she talks about long rides, even over-nighters with friends. She talks about training and the importance of going about it in slow steps, at the horse’s speed. She goes into some detail about the importance of a good-fitting saddle, both for the horse and for the human.
Horse lovers, especially those contemplating acquiring a horse, will learn a lot from the author’s experiences. As she discovers each horse’s quirks, she learns to adapt. She shares the good and bad, with humor, and always with love. She discusses teaching a horse the art of getting in and out of a trailer, about breeding, and most of all about the strong bond between a horse and its human.
Riding Lessons was a fun read. Those who have horses would enjoy it, too. It’s a book written with love, love of horses and love of the satisfaction and contentment that horses bring to their human.