I have only rode my horse 5-6 times this year, because I have been busy with the dogs, and kids. Well I just started boarding her at my friend's house, that has an "official horse farm" (Riding arenas, holds shows).

A group of 10 of us went trail riding about 40 miles from our house. I thought this was going to be a short ride...... Not so much.

The first ride was 4 miles. I was the only one in an English saddle-- which is what I prefer, but my legs are not in riding shape. This was also the roughest trail I had ever ridden. Tons of steep hills basically on a trail so narrow we had to go single file in the woods.

Over and through running water.... which my horse is young, so she just launched over the water effortlessly, but each time which I will say was pretty "fun" at first. We were jumping over downed trees. I was having a great time.

Then we went back to the camp and had lunch.

Then we went out for our second ride. That was a 6 mile loop. Meaning once you started, you couldn't just quit or get back quickly. The terrain on the second trail was equally brutal. No more jumping over logs, we went around, but there was water that I had to go through, which meant jumping. Finally on the last one I got off and walked her through the stream, because I knew my legs could not handle the launch, I would have been off either way.

About 1/2 way through the 6 mile trail, I just started dying. My neck started getting sore, my legs, my groin muscle and even my lower abdomen muscles. I was just exhausted and in serious pain.

Ironically, my horse (a 7 year old Black 1/2 Arab 1/2 Quarter-- but favors the Arab) was completely fresh. She could have went another 100 miles, I swear to God, and I was with a bunch of people that ride constantly, and should have better conditioned horses. Mine was the only horse that had not broke in to a sweat at all! Some of the other horses were completely soaked and lathered.

Not that I had anything to do with my horses fitness. She is just one of those restless horses that is always on the move in the pasture and running other horses around (she is Alpha mare).

I got home a few hours ago though and I was really sick. I thought I was going to pass out, have a heart attack and die or something. I got dizzy and thought I was going to pass out, I threw up, couldn't catch my breath. Just exhausted.

Then my husband asked how much I had to drink. In 6 hours I had a can and a half of Diet Coke. He made me drink a bunch of water, and with in a 1/2 hour I started feeling better. I guess I had really dehydrated myself through the day. Ironically I thought more about my horse getting something to drink than myself.

It was a rough ride for me. I hurt so bad right now, I know I am going to be in trouble in the morning. Holy Smokes! I need some pain meds.

I feel for you!
I havent ridden in years, but remember all too well the pain that went with it. Of course I was never a very graceful rider anyway, so likely was a bit more sore than your average pro rider , lol