It's been hitting the 40's here in the Northwoods of WI, during the daytime. Although the snow is coming rather late in the season, I can't help to be preoccupied with getting on the trails again. Just the attitude difference in the horses, even they are ready to "cut some mud" and shed their winter coats. As I was brushing Magic, my guy, I could tell he was ready to get back to working, his last ride was in early December. Between the flu, and my chronic bronchitis keeping me house-bound...I sure can't wait to shed a few layers of clothes (some weight, too, perhaps) and get the wind in my hair again. This has been the first winter, I can ever remember that I didn't saddle up and "plow thru some snow" in the fields. With my luck, I'm going to be finally having my surgery, just when I want to be back in the saddle. I just keep praying I will be in/out before the snow is gone, and Magic & I can get into "spring training" together. He can help me lose my weight, and I can get him back into "trail shape."

Having owned and ridden horses for most of my life,i have missed having this wonderfull experience in the past 2 years, due to my cir****tances, before surgery, i remember praying that post op , somehow i would be able to get a chance to ride again , since i love it , and its such good exercise! Well in december some folks from church have invited me to come and ride thier horses, they have 11 horses and other than using them 1 a month or so to move cattle , they dont really ride them , so they needed someone with time to ride, what a blessing !!!!!! i try to get over there every chance i get !!! i am now nearly 4 months post op, and down low enough(259) where i can ride, i have been riding about 6 times in january , and look forward to upping that in february! Its so great ! i still have more weight to lose to be able to hop up in the saddle, but at least i can move and ride and not be exhausted ! it feels so great to look over hills in the saddle ! YES it is possible, you can get back up there !!!

I also have horses and would really like to ride without having to climb up on something to get on the darn animal. I am so looking forward to possibly having this surgery this spring. Good luck with everything and enjoy. Deb

One of my most cherished goals is to be able to ride again. My daughter has a couple of horses. She is 14, and she wants us to be able to go out and enjoy the day together riding. It will take a long time before that can happen, but, I pray it is before I am too old to climb up on the goofy thing. When I was a teen we had horses, and I am glad to be able to share the experiences with my daughter. It is a blessing. It teaches her responsibility, and confidence. You should see her ride in the shows and gymkhanas. She is in 4-H, and I would recommend any parent that can do it to get their kids into that program. It has many different clubs, not just livestock, and it is so good for the children to socialize, and gain confidence in themselves. Anyways, wish me luck, I am going to ride one of these days again...very slow, but, it will be good...lol God bless, Laury

Hi, am on my path to learning and acting on wls. Maybe it will make cleaning those stalls easier. lol: