Horse Trail Adventures

For our family vacations we always went to Florida, typically splitting our time between Disney or Universal Studios and the beach.  However, all bored and disenchanted with Florida, we decided to go somewhere special as it was our last family vacation before I left for college.  We decided to embark on our biggest trip ever and spend eight days in Maui, Hawaii.

I’m always up for adventure and eager to try new things on vacation and after an exhilarating week of parasailing, snorkeling, hiking and zip-lining, our next adventure was taking me back to a long lost passion: horseback riding.  Three years earlier after a string of nasty falls ultimately resulting in a broken collarbone, I gave up my passion.  Although, on vacation, my sisters and I each get to choose an activity and I decided we were going to ride horses.

I had been eagerly anticipating our trail ride all week with a mixture of nervous butterflies and uncontained excitement.  My mom, dad and I chose to go on a morning ride to avoid the midday heat, but my sisters unhappy with the early nature of our activity, elected to stay behind at the condo.  The day was comfortably cool with a breeze from the nearby ocean creating the perfect day.  After driving up a long and winding dirt road surrounded by sugarcane, a large sign “Welcome to Ironwood Ranch” greeted us as we arrived at the stable.  As soon as I stepped out the car, the familiar smell of a horse stable filled my nose—sweet alfalfa hay and horse manure—I was home.  I walked quickly to the check-in point with my parents slowing ambling behind.  Our trail leader, Ashley, greeted us and handed us a safety manual.  I breezed through the manual already familiar with horse safety and riding techniques.  My parents, complete novices, worked slowly through the manual.

“Who here has any riding experience?” Ashely asked.  I was the only one out of a group of five people that raised their hand.  “Okay, you’ll ride Kona.”  Ashely assigned my mom to ride Magic Mike and my dad Shania Twain, which got a laugh from everyone in the group.  The other husband and wife duo of our group rode Lady Gaga and Viggo Mortensen while Ashley rode Taylor Swift. 

Ashely led Kona to me and I stepped onto the mounting block and easily swung my right leg over Kona’s wide body.  It was like I had never stopped riding—my body assumed the natural riding position and I confidently gave Kona a little nudge to begin walking.  The phenomenon of rider and horse becoming one was thrilling to once again experience.  I was in sync with Kona’s movements able to readjust my posture naturally as we walked on the trail. However, our trail was surrounded on all sides by sugarcane—a delectable treat for horses especially for Shania Twain.  Shania, fat and old, was giving my dad quite a rough time. 

“She won’t stop eating!”  My dad called from the back of the group.  We stopped to wait for my dad to redirect Shania who begrudgingly began to walk.  Thankfully, I was able to keep Kona away from most of the sugarcane.    

Ashley led us up and down rocky hills, through a stream and lush foliage until we finally reached a lookout point where the ocean exploded in front of us.  The turquoise water was lazily lapping at the shore line, the saltiness permeating the air.  A gentle breeze ruffled Kona’s mane.  The abounding beauty and peace of the scenery was mesmerizing.  We all sat quietly a top our horses taking in our surroundings. 

After spending time at the lookout point, it was a quick ride back down to the stable.  I was sad that my time with Kona was over.  I led him back to his stall and spent a few minutes stroking his neck eventually resting my head on his muzzle while rubbing his soft velvety nose. 

“Thank you,” I whispered to him.  “Deep down I was scared I wouldn’t be able to do it—but you helped me realize that I can overcome my failures.”