Horsing Around !!!!

 
Clickety Click Clip Clop Clip Clop!!! went the hooves on the golden sands . The mighty steed gallantly rode into the crisp morning air, in perfect unison with his little rider who was confidently bent forward in position, holding the reins, her legs barely reaching the stirrups. The morning breeze cajoled her hair and cooled her flushed face, pumped up from keeping pace with her sturdy mount. And away they dashed into the sunset in a speedy blur !!!!


I think its a Sagittarius thing … HORSES are my most favourite creatures in the world. (Sagittarian symbol of the archer is a Centaur who is half human, half horse). I find them mysterious and fascinating. They have kind eyes, a majestic gait and a tranquil aura about them. When standing they appear like meditating hermits deep in thought.  But when they are on the move they metamorphose from quiet, nimble creatures into fierce powerhouses of unbridled speed and wild fury!!! Riding a horse is the ultimately thrilling experience for me.  I have been lucky to have  experienced it numerous times on different locales, different terrains and different mounts. But the result has been the same always.. Unparalleled Thrill and excitement!!!


My tryst with this unusual interest (definitely out of ordinary for a through city bred like me), began many years ago as a little girl (yes that was me in the first para :-) ). The credit for this ingenious idea goes to my father who introduced me to it one Sunday morning at the Chowpatty Beach in South Mumbai. Growing up in a city like Mumbai in the early 1970s (it was Bombay at that time) horses were not so easy to come by except of course on the famous Mahalaxmi Race Course or in children’s parks. Visiting the former of course was a definite no-no for the non-elite and definitely not for children. Of the latter, I had wide experience on weekends and holidays. But the park horses were mere ponies, weak, under nourished smelly and unkempt.


But that cool March morning on Chowpatty beach, near my home I was introduced to the “real” thing. There were 5 or 6 steeds well bred, bathing in the morning sun, properly fed and exercised, sturdy looking no nonsense animals with polished bodies and shining manes. I remember being in awe at the sight of these regal animals in their finery  and my love for horses began. I am guessing I must have been one awesome pony rider to graduate to riding these fabulous animals so soon. (Admire my father’s courage and confidence in me). My father negotiated with the owner and selected a  majestic brown horse called Raja for me. As I sat on the tall horse my short legs barely reached the stirrups. But I felt on top of the world just sitting on this magnificent creature with a long silky bronze mane. The expanse of the long empty gilded beach lay in front of us and the  foaming waters of the Arabian Sea on our right. Raja’s trainer was Bahadur. He  supplied horses for films and occasionally hired them to interested parties like us. Raja was still a trainee just like I was so it was a perfect match. So off we went, across the beach, slowly at first. Bahadur jogged along giving instructions to me on posture, gait, signaling the horse, holding the reins and above all moving with the horse. But all I could feel at that moment was the thrill of riding this royal animal. I watched the slow movement of its sinewy back and its silky mane fluttering in the sea breeze. The walk turned to a trot and finally to a gallop. I was bouncing atop the saddle trying to move with my steed, the wind in my hair, the familiar musty smell of sea breeze in the air and everything else was just  a blur. I felt  overwhelming EXHILARATION . …and I was hooked for life.


Raja was my companion for many Sundays that summer. I learnt the nuances of “galloping” as I called it and soon graduated to managing Raja by myself as Bahadur chatted with my father. I even galloped independently to the amazement of some of the bystanders who looked at me as if I was some “wonder girl”. Those days are etched in my memory in gold. !!! Raja and I, a mighty steed and a little girl..bonding, trusting, secure in each others company, looking after each other ..connecting at a surreal level !!!


After that day it has been more than 40 years, but  I have never ever missed an opportunity to ride my favourite animal. Be it on school trips to hill stations, college treks to the mountains or family trips. I have always showed off my galloping skills. A couple of years ago on a trip to Sonmarg in Kashmir  I requested our horse owner to let me gallop over the beautiful green plains surrounded by snow capped glacier. He looked at me quizzically and then at my fourteen year old son . I am sure he was thinking I was nuts. But when I galloped, it was amusing to see his shock and open admiration for my riding skills.


Even today each time I ride a horse, I go back to being the care free little girl on Chowpatty beach reliving a part of my childhood. The  part, which has gone a long way in building my spirit of adventure, resilience to face life’s challenges and the courage to experiment with the unknown. For this, I will always be indebted to my old friend Raja who made me feel on top of the world and to my dear father who gave me a passion for life.