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Horseback Riding

Date: Nov 09 2007

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

As little as one hundred years ago, most Americans rode a horse every day. Now many people go their whole lives without getting in the saddle. For people who live in cities, it’s a special occasion to ride a horse. It reminds of a simpler time when animals were more a part of our lives.

Devan recently got in the saddle and held the reins for the first time in her life. Listen to her tell Marni about it.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Marni

Devan: So over spring break I rode a horse for the first time in my life.

Marni: Really? The first time ever?

Devan: First time ever. It was so scary.

Marni: Was it?

Devan: When you watch in the movies, it looks like it’s all fun, you’re just galloping...It’s really really scary and it takes a lot of physical strength. I never would have thought. I was so sore afterwards. Have you ever rode a horse?

Marni: I haven’t ridden one in years and growing up it was that whole cliché that girls love horses and I never got into that whole thing. I remember being terrified myself, riding them, “These things are too odd. I can’t figure ‘em out.”

Devan: Yeah, like the trail we went on, it wasn’t, like, the horse trails where you’re just walking across a grassy field, tied nose to tail with a bunch of other people, this was off the beaten path, just going up the mountain. But it was actually a lot of fun. I was really surprised. I never thought I’d be a horse person either.

Marni: So you think you’ll do it again?

Devan: I think so. I have to conquer my fear. You should try it.

Marni: I should try it. I should get over my fear of the horse.

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Discussion

During spring break, Devan rode a horse for the first time in her life. She thought it was really scary. It wasn’t as easy as it looks in the movies. It required a lot of strength and wore her out.

Marni hasn’t ridden a horse in years, but also remembers being pretty scared when she rode one. She thinks it’s funny because there’s a common general belief that all young girls like to ride horses.

When Devan rode a horse it was exciting because she got to ride off the trail. A lot of times people go for horseback rides and they are led by a guide slowly down a path. It’s kind of boring. But Devan’s ride wasn’t like that at all.

Have you ever ridden a horse? Did you think it was fun?

Comments

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Alfredok

Mexico

I think it is a great experience to ride a horse, In my case I was so nerveous at the first time but later I enjoyed the walk and would like to do it again and again and again.

But I had a thought about horses, and suddenly I felt that the horse wasn’t happy, and it makes me feel sad, I dont know much more about horses but I think they would be happier being free.

NightlyOwl

Ukraine

Several years ago I rested in Crimea. There has been some pretty good excursions. One of them it’s two hours horse riding in the mountains area. Well, it’s was amazing journey. I love horses very mush. I admire the power and grace these wonderful animals. Of course the ride was not so easily. The horse has they own character, and if they feel your uncomfortable and uncertainty they love to do something wrong. For example: to take ride in the bushes but not on the trail. But it’s cool to know how to ride a horse, to be able to subdue the horse, and to be one whole with horse .

ryanman

Nigeria

Hello I’m From Micronesia and I believe in this post.

Thank You

princessanika

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

i hate horsees.i don’t like sit on them.

Bruce_zhou

China

to be honest ,i have never rode a hourse before ,just seen it from movies,i m look forward to that sometime i can ride the hourse and galloping on the grass or hill,i can image that it’s should be very cool, i think i m never scary for that ,but for now ,it’s tough find the hourse in urban area,just find it in the travel area.

Luciferka9

Czech Republic

Hello, I´m from czech republic and I find someone who write me. My English is very bad and I need learn English.

I have horse. Is here someone who has horse to??

spacedragon

Brazil

hmm interesting

Edytkaaaaaaaaaa

Poland

When I was younger I was at camp where could I riding a horse, it was amazing for me.. but now I don't have opportiunites.. I regret..

jinxiangyu35

China

i love riding a horse so much . though i do not have much chance and money to do horse riding .and horses are so soooooooooooo handsome an animal. it is so exciting a scene when they are galloping !!

julywidiawati

Indonesia

I love galloping..

julywidiawati

Indonesia

I rode a horse two weeks ago with my angels, it was the first time for us got in the saddles and held the reins.

But there was no galloping we just walking along a grassy field.

Steelheart

Indonesia

Brian, I choose 1 horse power only to ride with my gf, slowly galloping, not fast, and enjoy the trip. I think the horse will not exhausted to bring us both. I will let my gf to sit in front of me but I take control of the rheins. And the horse I choose is the white one.

yir

China

Very fast !!!

Brian USA

United States

In the US we also use the phrase.. "horse power" when we are discussing the engine size of an automobile. A large engine would be 350 horse power (350HP) Horse power is just that.. how much work can one (1) horse do… A famous scientist said.. one horse can move about 330 pounds of coal 100 feet in a minute.. so the larger the engine the faster or more powerful the vehicle will be.