 |
RE: [RC] Riding alone... - heidiMike Sherrell <mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: Beyond that, I find riding alone uniquely satisfying because I never have to compromise my riding style nor my horse's preferred way of going to accommodate another's, so I feel unrestrained. I enjoy socializing less than other people, though. As far as getting hurt alone, I deal with that with a combination of having a cell phone, accepting the risk as a cost of the reward (after all, every time you drive you accept the risk of a crash for the reward of the mall at the other end of the drive), and the proposition that being killed on a horse might be the best way to go. I think maybe men can submerge, compartimentalize or ignore risk easier than women, though. I don't think it has much to do with gender. I like people, but on my own terms. I live on the side of a mountain with a very obscure driveway over a mile long for that very reason. My hubby is out of the country nearly half of the time. The reward of privacy and freedom is well worth the risk of getting hurt and being undetected. Now that I'm in the past-50 group, I am more leery of taking out green horses alone, and do reserve that for the times that hubby is home. But other than that, I ride, handle stallions and young stock, handle machinery, etc. without undue concern for my own safety, beyond being sensible and taking reasonable safety precautions. My house is secured by a large dog and by Smith & Wesson. I do own a cell phone now, but rarely carry it riding as there isn't much in the way of cell reception out here once I leave the main road. Life is for living, not for worrying about worst-case scenarios. As for being female, I can't think of any of the rural ranch women out here who worry about being alone, riding alone, or working alone either. It's our culture, we love it, and we wouldn't trade places with our sisters in more populated places. Heidi =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|