Unplugged, Saddled Up, Recharge: My Techno-Kingdom for a Horse

The easy unplug is this: No devices while eating, period, ever, end of sentence,
non-negotiable.

The more challenging and glorious unplug is seventeen hands high, about 1200 pounds, possessed of four gears and reverse. I am a confirmed city slicker, but when I have a
chance I steal over to a Los Angeles canyon and ride a large chestnut horse who seems to
think he was put on this earth to lift my spirits.

I will never be a great or fearless rider; those are goals for other, younger people.
Still, here is what I can do, much of which I could not do a few years ago: Ride in each
of those gears, get my various limbs to work in harmony while doing so (not as easy as it
looks), jump over jumps so tiny that the horse probably didn't even notice them, though
to me they look very large. I can relax my shoulders and arms, again, not so easy when my
normal work posture involves tensing them up.

For the time I'm riding, I can forget everything that's waiting for me -- and if that
isn't unplugged I don't know what is. Sometimes I find myself solving problems that
refused to yield when I was actively wrestling with them, back in my office. Sometimes I
remember my ten-year-old horse-crazy self, or play movies in my head of my daughter
riding. There is something to be said for the dependable waltz-beat of a canter and the
calm of the sitting trot. I even like grooming the big guy. It springs my brain.

I don't Twitter, so I like to think I'm not overly-plugged, but every now and then I
experience equipment overload. I'm tethered to a computer because I write, I'm adept at
texting because it's the undergraduate daughter's communications mode of choice, I know
how to work remote controls for two different systems in two different cities, and I
almost remember how to work the iPod I rarely use. This may not seem like a lot, but I'm
old enough to have written an early book on a typewriter. It feels really busy.
But you can't be busy around a horse. They don't like big gestures, big noises, surprises
of any kind. They like a light touch, the slow move, the quiet approach. I used to ride
around with my cell phone in my pocket, because we?re all terrified of being cut off, but
I don't do that anymore. There will be plenty of time to check for messages later.

Visit http://www.karenstabiner.comwww.karenstabiner.com or write to Karen at [e-mail].

 

 

Comments

[sawdustinhershoes]

Horses are wonderful. I have seven to take care of, it's rewarding but dicey sometimes.

Today I actually cleaned the feet of a mare I bought as a rescue. The shoer won't mess with her, but since I bought her, I've been rubbing her legs and trying to pick up her feet without getting kicked. Today, I was finally successful on three feet. Hopefully tomorrow, it'll be four.

Life's simple pleasures. I take small steps. I'm so pleased.

[CR46]

As a current foster mommy to 7 beautiful horses and owner of 6 others, thank you for adopting your new companion. You are building trust slowly, but surely and have great instincts in building long term trust with your new friend.
My escape from lifes stresses are grooming and riding my best friend Rio, he came as a foster 4 yrs ago and it took two yrs for him to trust me fully. Good luck with your new gal, may you have many happy and content yrs together :)

[BlackYowe]

I carry a cell phone when riding my horse but don't take calls or call out. Its there for if I hurt myself or my horse hurts itself. I hardly use a cell phone except when driving in snow or riding. Riding my horse does recharge me though. Its a great way to see the world let me tell you.

[LarryD]

Well, since it's dangerous to text or talk driving a car, and is illegal in more and more places, then it has to be just as dangerous to use electronics when riding a horse. Imagine Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger, or Gene Autry with a cell phone to their ears.