Davina HerbertI am celebrating as I have gotten back into the saddle – literally. For the past few years, I could count on one hand the number of times that I have ridden. My mare Ms Doll died in September 2023. There were other horses in our herd that I used to ride, but by that time they had also passed away. I wanted to ride, whilst at the same time, I didn’t want to ride. Ms Doll was the main horse that I rode, and after 13 years, I just didn’t feel like the time was right to ride any of the other horses that we still had in the herd. Over the last couple of years, my life has been like a roller coaster. That didn’t leave me with the energy to start riding again. Yet, I couldn’t completely give up on the idea. I loved the feeling of being in harmony with Doll and the two of us having adventures together. Recently, I was at a property where they had horses for sale. We actually went to the property to look at machinery that they had for sale, but we couldn’t help noticing the horses. Hubby suggested that it might be time for me to get another horse. So we asked to look at the horses. Whilst I was originally looking at the mares, a young gelding called Teddy Bear was the one who kept coming up to the buggy and interacting with us. I realised that the mares they had weren’t a good fit for me. Then I looked at the young gelding and realised that he could be the new riding partner for whom I was searching. After communicating with Teddy to see if he wanted to come here and play with me, I said that I would get him.
Teddy arrived a couple of months ago, and I made excuse after excuse as to why I couldn’t do much with him. Then I started to do small things – like pick out his hooves and groom him, but I wasn’t feeling up to riding. Today, a friend came over to spend some time with us and the horses. So we got all our horse gear together and headed down to the paddock. I was nervous about doing stuff with Teddy. It was ages since I had played with Doll, and I felt like my skills were rusty. Yet I kept at it. My goal was to be able to get back into the saddle. I didn’t want to ride today. I want to continue to build the foundations of our relationship, which I have been doing ever since he came here. I am not willing to rush things and potentially scare either of us. So today, it was feeling him out on the lead rope. Then I finally achieved my goal and got into the saddle – with hubby holding the lead rope and Teddy patiently standing by the mounting block. I was harder to get into the saddle than I had anticipated, and it took me a couple of goes. I felt the fear coming up, and I had to acknowledge it and then push past it. Then I found the dismounting a little harder than the mounting (note to self – start doing yoga again). I was so proud of myself for following one of my dreams. I then wondered why I hadn’t done this before.
I also realised that getting back into the saddle was an analogy for other things going on in my life. I have been ‘hibernating’ for a little while now whilst I processed some things. Now I am getting back into the ‘saddle’ of life and living. I have a new program that is launching soon and I am keen to see where adventures with my Teddy lead.
What did I learn from getting back in the saddle:-
- Sometimes you need a community/ support to help you.
- When fear comes up, don’t just ignore it or push it down. Feel the fear and then work out how to move forward.
- Life is short, make time for what ‘lights’ you up.
- Sometimes you just need to change your perspective – look at the world from a different position (horse’s back).
Davina supports people grieving the loss of their animal companions. To book a session, use the link below.
Davina is an intuitive animal communicator, Grief Guide and author who helps people connect more deeply with their animal companions—past and present. She blends energy work, compassion, and spiritual insight to offer heartfelt support during times of transition, healing, and transformation.
Christine Sanson Maudy
Ann Moir-Bussy
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