Riding a Horse Named Oreo: Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Sometimes, you get an idea that seems too good to pass up. Recently, mine was horseback riding—booked on a whim, without much thought beyond, “I want to ride an animal today.” I figured it couldn’t be that different from riding the family Rottweiler when I was five, right?
The day was perfect: overcast with that crisp autumn air I love, not too cold and not too hot. I went all out in my classic “Canadian tuxedo” (which, yes, may have been a bit overdressed for the occasion). And somehow, I convinced my boyfriend to join me—though, as a very logical finance guy who spends most of his days glued to a screen, I had to use my best “this-will-be-good-for-us” speech. I even referenced Darwin’s autobiography, where he lamented how focusing only on science dulled his joy for music, art, and adventure. After my pep talk, my boyfriend agreed, saying it would be “good to get out of his natural habitat.”
We got to the stables, and I was introduced to my ride: Oreo, a lazy horse with a bit of attitude. My boyfriend, on the other hand, lucked out with a well-behaved horse whose name I promptly forgot (since it didn’t cause any heart palpitations or adrenaline spikes).
Our guide, Bob, led us with a beautiful black-and-white horse named Stella. From the start, my boyfriend’s horse seemed determined to get ahead, but Bob insisted that Oreo and I stay in the middle. As I gave Oreo a gentle kick to move, he barely budged—until he decided to veer off into the field, completely ignoring my attempts to pull him back.
At that moment, I panicked. Scenes from every movie where someone falls off a runaway horse flooded my mind. Oreo was stubborn, hopping around while my legs were squished between two horses. I was seriously questioning my decision to ride a wild animal. I thought about jumping off and calling it a day, but I could almost hear my mom’s voice reminding me, “We’re not quitters.”
So, I took a deep breath and tried a new approach. I imagined Oreo as my little Chihuahua, channeled some “dominant energy,” and pulled the reins with newfound confidence. Oreo seemed to respond, and as my nerves settled, we found a rhythm. Sure, there was a moment where he slipped and started galloping, leaving me clinging on for dear life, but we made it through.
Two hours later, with sore arms and creaky knees, I was grateful for the experience. It was a reminder that sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones—even when it means surrendering control to a strong-willed animal—teaches us something new about ourselves. I went in thinking this would be a lighthearted, spontaneous outing, but I came away with a fresh appreciation for adventure.
Life Lesson? Sometimes the best stories, the ones that teach us a bit about who we are, come from moments of uncertainty. So, if you’re debating whether to try something out of character or a little intimidating, go for it. After all, a little adrenaline is good for the soul.