Riding through the vineyards in Oregon Wine Country at Youngberg Hill. We told Natasha that when she was 10 she could get a horse if she worked and saved her money.  Well I would like you to meet Austin.  He is a 22 year old retired polo pony.  Natasha would like to thank all the guest who purchased her lavender bags that helped pay for Austin.  With the money from that and other jobs these past 7 years Natasha purchased the saddle and bridal too.

Now for the story;   We have had 3 expert horse people look at Austin and each told us that he was a great horse for the kids and gentle.   I know little about horses but I have ridden at least 40 times in my life and feel very comfortable around and on any horse.  So after we saddled up and all the kids took turns riding I decided that I would take a turn on Austin.  I got up just fine.  Austin took about 10 steps and went to make the turn to come back and that’s when it all went so terribly wrong. Austin planed his front feet wide and from the next 20 seconds(it felt like 4 minutes) he went crazy bucking and running wild.  After avoiding the wooden fence he twisted right and that is when I twisted left.  I knew I was falling and cold do nothing about it.  I don’t remember hitting the ground but all I knew is I couldn’t get up.  I now have a broken shoulder blade and every part of my body feels like I got ran over by a horse.    Needless to say I will not be doing any riding again for a long time but am so grateful it wasn’t much worse.