Trot. Canter. Nirvana!

I have always adored horses. I still dream about having a horse that would live in my garage.

My earliest vivid horseback riding memory dates to when I was six years old. While with a group of kids, all the horses got spooked, and mine bolted through the woods. To this day, I vividly remember the tree branch and my inevitable fall from the horse. To make matters worse, no one knew where I was until a counselor found me.

I was carried out of the woods.

I rode during vacations and constantly urged others to join me. When we moved to Atlanta, I began trail riding at local barns. I couldn't get enough of it. Then, about eight years ago, I started riding 3-4 days a week. It felt like a fresh start. I learned the basics of grooming, saddling, bridling, and barn etiquette.

I began taking lessons. A couple of years ago, I had a fall that resulted in a very mild concussion. My inexperience played a major role in the incident. My injuries were minor, but my fear was significant. It wasn't related to my Parkinson's.

The Impact of Fear

The fear didn't stop me from riding; it only prevented me from cantering until about two weeks ago. After we moved to Charleston six months ago, I immediately started searching for a trainer. It took 6 months, but I found Ashley Hickman and resumed lessons. At my first lesson, I was in a trot, and Ashley, my trainer, shouted, "Are you ready to canter?"

I responded, "Okay." And it happened. I felt like I soared above myself.

Life is unpredictable.

Call it impulsivity—likely a symptom of PD. But to me, it makes sense. Call it crazy. I have Parkinson's disease, so why would I take the risk?

Because I can.

Encouragement for Others

You don't need to ride horses. You just need to do something. It's about facing our fears, finding a mentor, socializing with others living with Parkinson's, and taking care of ourselves both physically and mentally. I speak from experience. My drive to focus on something beyond my disease is challenging. Sometimes, I fall off the horse, but I strive to "Keep F'n Going."