Saturday, February 19, 2011

First Ride

Our neighbor kids, Evan and Maritsa, are still helping us with cleaning up the manure each day.  On Saturdays, we have slowly exposed them to working with horses.  We started with teaching them how to groom the horses, how to lead, how to move their feet by backing up and moving hindquarters, slowly lunging in small circles, etc.  We wanted to take plenty of time getting them comfortable with the horses and for the horses to get comfortable with them.

They were out of school for half a day yesterday, Friday, so they came up for their weekly work with the horses as the weather forecast for today isn’t that good – breezy and possible showers.

We put them up on the horses for the first time.  We got them to ride Sugar and Morgunn bareback without a bridle while we led the horses around the back.  This gave them a chance to work on their balance and begin to feel the horse move under them and relate that to how their bodies move with the horse.

It seemed like a pretty good time for them.

Maritsa on Sugar.

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Evan on Morgunn.

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Maritsa on Sugar.

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7 comments:

Jeni said...

Just look at those smiles!!! Makes your heart sing doesn't it.

Keri said...

How fun for them! You and Betty are very generous~

Anonymous said...

They will never forget their first ride and your kindness..most people would have just paid them for their help..you gave of yourselves..

Fantastyk Voyager said...

Now they'll never leave you alone!!!

Lol, they look so happy! It's all good, isn't it?

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

How kind you are to introduce them to the wonders of horses and to share yours with them.

I really can't wait to read about and see you riding again, too.

~Lisa

TjandMark said...

I remember, Loretta, the young woman who did just what you did for me, way back when. Way to go Dan and Betty and the kids look happy.

Michelle said...

Looks like some pure joy going on. You two are the best, and those sweet kiddos aren't bad either.