Last year on this day, I had a horrible accident.  I was thrown from the back of a horse that bolted on me.  Little did I know, but this horse was “green” meaning that it truly was not broke to ride.  The person that we got this horse from was not honest with us as I found out when the horse took off with me on the back.  I was literally holding on for dear life gripping the horn of the saddle with all of my might trying to remain in the saddle.  We have six acres out in the country, and that runaway horse took me the whole entire length of our property.  It was only when she turned to go the other direction that my feet slipped out of the stirrups, and I was thrown from the back of this horse.  Thankfully this happened before the horse decided to start bucking, causing the saddle to go underneath the horse.  I don’t want to even begin to think how much worse it could have been had that happened while I was still on the horse!

The result of the accident was a fractured left hip/pelvic area as well as a fractured left hand.  The hand, no doubt, was fractured from me slamming it down on the horn of the saddle and the struggle to hold on tight.  The fracture to my hip/pelvic area was due to landing hard on the ground when I was thrown off.

For me to be here today is truly a blessing.  I know that God was with me that day because the accident could have been much, much worse.  I thank God that it wasn’t because I have two children that need me, and I thank God that I am blessed to be here with them and for them today.

A few months after the accident, I was anxious to get back in the saddle again.  I didn’t necessary want to ride at this point, but I wanted to at least sit in the saddle again to overcome my fear.  I knew if I didn’t get back in the saddle soon that the fear would take over, and I would never ride again.  I did not want that to happen, and I had to conquer that fear so it would not keep me from doing something that I have such a passion for.  When the day came that I felt I was ready to try, I chose my faithful horse who was 15 years old at the time.  She was an experienced horse and one of the best, well trained horses that we have.  She took excellent care of me.  I managed to pull myself up into the saddle, and I sat up there so proudly because I was back in the saddle again!  Then, as my horse stood quietly, I leaned down to hug her.  She restored my faith in horses once again and allowed me to conquer my fear.

Today is a very important day for me.  I look back at the accident that never should have happened but did due to a person’s dishonesty.  Had this person just been honest with me, we would never have purchased this horse.  All this person could see was dollar signs, though, and she did not consider the danger of putting a green horse with our family.  Had she just been honest with us … why is it so hard for people to just be HONEST these days?!  Yes, she would have lost the sale, but she would have also prevented an accident!  This horse was purchased for my two daughters, and I just thank GOD that they were not riding this horse when she decided to bolt.  I just thank GOD that if anyone had to go through this, it was me … and NOT my two precious daughters!

What ever happened to the horse that bolted on us, you might be asking?  We called the lady up that sold us this horse and told her what happened.  Initially, she was not that apologetic and wasn’t going to take the horse back or refund us the money.  However, she soon decided to do so, and still has the horse to this day.  You know how they say that Karma will get you?  Well, I’m not a believer in that saying or know whether that is necessarily true or not, but I was told a few months ago that this girl sustained an injury while working with a horse.  The extent of her injuries was a broken knee cap!  She had surgery and was in a cast where she was pretty much bedridden and unable to do anything at this point due to the cast.  I am truly sorry that happened, as I would not wish this on my worst enemy.  But, I did wonder if the same horse that did this to me … also did this to her.

Our family has been horse lovers for a very long time, and I did not want this accident to change any of that.  We have five horses now, and we love them all.  They bring us so much joy and happiness.

Not all horses are like this.  Please know that!  I don’t want you to read this post and vow to never get on the back of a horse!  We have five – more mature – horses that are just wonderful!  They range in ages from 10 to 16 years old.  That is a good age for reliable, seasoned horses!  They have been around enough to know the ropes, are well trained, and make excellent mounts!  They are perfect for a leisurely trail ride where you can enjoy God and the beautiful world that He has given us!  Honestly, I feel a little bit closer to God on the back of a horse.  As much as I love God and want to see Him one sweet day, I just thank Him that my time on earth wasn’t up on March 31, 2014!

Was it painful last year going through all of this with the accident?  YES!  But, God helped me through that time in my life, as He has at other times when I have struggled.  God is faithful and true!

This had the ability to snuff out my desire to ride horses ever again.  It had the ability to deprive me of something that, in the past, had given me so much joy.  Our family would seek out destinations to go on vacations and make sure that there was a ranch nearby so that we could go horseback riding while on vacation!  That is how much we LOVE horses!  Then our dreams came true when we became horse owners ourselves!  I feel very blessed to have these giant creatures that God has given us.  I have a high respect for people that take “green” horses and “break” them so that they will one day be suitable to ride.  I have no desire to do that, though, especially after the accident last year.  I just thank God that it wasn’t any worse than it was and that my children did not get hurt.

There was a lesson to be learned in all of this, though.  As much as we would like to believe that people are true and honest … sadly, they aren’t.  They will lie, and your life could be endangered due to their dishonesty.  That’s the sad, harsh facts!  But, an important lesson is to NOT take a single day for granted.  Appreciate the life that God has given you and get out there and LIVE it!  Overcome your fears!  Live your dream!

Today, I feel I am an overcomer!  With God by my side, He has helped me overcome the injuries I sustained in the accident that never should have happened!  I feel that God has helped me to overcome my fear and allowed me to get back in the saddle again with my seasoned horse that takes good care of me.  I am blessed to be able to share this passion for horses with my family.  My husband is involved with the care of our horses, and he also enjoys trail riding.  My children are involved and enjoy these beautiful horses that we devote so much time caring for and exploring God’s countryside on.

Yes, today is a wonderful day, and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am blessed by God above!

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While I was thinking of writing a post about this very topic today, it tied in perfectly with the prompt word of Blessed for Karen’s Tuesday At Ten.