Horse Fun

Our family received an opportunity to visit Galloping Grace Youth Ranch this weekend. It was such a treat that they could fit us in again before Jersey #2 has to go for surgery. It was an additional treat to be able to visit on a Saturday, because The Referee could join us to see the kids having so much fun with horses.

Each of the kids demonstrated a new skill today.

Tim, the awesome ranch volunteer, was able to get Jersey #2 up on a horse again. She told me before we arrived that she didn't think she wanted to ride. She told Tim that she just wanted to walk the horse around. I encouraged her to show her Dad how she can sit on a horse. She finally agreed. After the initial fear of going up on the horse, she started to relax in the saddle.

It was just a matter of time before she was glad she decided to ride. She quickly became real comfortable in the saddle, and started waving to me. She was comfortable enough to ride, so Tim led the horse around the corral nearly a dozen times, because Jersey #2 was having so much fun.

Jersey #3 was excited to get to hold the reins. He quickly became distracted by the reins, and almost forgot to go through the balance drills.

Look Ma, no hands!

Jersey #1 shocked us by riding a horse without someone leading it around the corral. I had no idea she could do that. The ranch volunteer explained to me that she told Jersey #1 she could give it a try the next time she visits.

She learned how to use the reins to steer the horse.

She had a blast! A love of horses is growing deep in this child.

She still says she will have to hire someone to clean the stalls, when she gets a horse of her own. Her response to the work station was "Yuck."

Her siblings, on the other hand, think those kid-sized rakes and shovels are neat!

They worked hard to clean the corral...

....until Jersey #5 discovered the water.

He actually sampled some of the horses' water before I could stop him. Yum.