Horse Fun

We had an opportunity to visit Galloping Grace Youth Ranch this week!  They certainly live up to their motto, "Bringing Pure Joy To Children..."

We had a blast.  

They are constantly making improvements to the ranch, so it is fun to go around and see what is new.

This time around, there were 5 riding corrals.  All 5 of our children were able to ride at the same time.  I got some exercise jogging from corral to corral, to take pictures.  But, it was an awesome sight to see all of our kids enjoying horseback riding at the same time.  Each horse and each child has such a different personality.  Their experiences were as unique as they were. 

In spite of only being 2 years old, Jersey #5 insists that he gets a turn to ride.  The volunteers treat him like he is older, because he looks bigger than his age, and he is determined to get the same privileges as the bigger kids.  He just does not act his age when it comes to riding horses.  He is a natural cowboy.  I used to be more cautious, and made sure to notify the volunteers of his young age.  This time, I let him handle himself.  He spoke to the volunteers on his own,  stood still while they placed his helmet, held their hand to walk to the corral, and obeyed their instructions.  He did not pay attention to my whereabouts until he was already up on the horse, and the volunteer said, "Wave to your Mommy!" 

He proved that he could hold the saddle horn on his own, so the volunteer walked beside the horse, allowing him to ride on his own.  (They usually hold the 2-year-olds by the leg...while another volunteer leads the horse...so that they do not impulsively try to leave the saddle). 

Jersey #5 had a great riding experience.  In addition to sitting on his own, he reached for the horseshoes hanging on the fence.  He is showing nice balance in the saddle while riding around the corral.  His horse, Penny, was a small horse, perfect for tiny tots to ride.

Jersey #4 is much more cautious about riding a horse.  The first two times we visited the ranch this season, she refused to ride.  Last time, I coaxed her with my desire to get a picture of her on the horse to show her Granny.  This time, I mentioned that her Daddy would be there to watch her ride.  She smiled at the thought of showing her Daddy what she could do.  

Jersey #4 kept track of the names.  Her horse was named Blackie.  The volunteer walking next to her had the same name as me.  The volunteer leading the horse had the same name as Jersey #4.  She thought that was neat that we had the same names.

Jersey #3 took it all in stride.  He likes the horses, and he likes the ranch.  He really likes to go through all of the stations, and all of the toys, making sure to take part in each thing every time he visits.  It is as if he has a running checklist in his head for what to expect.  He even makes sure that the horse (and volunteer) stop in my line of view for me to take a great picture of him on the horse.

Jersey #2 was SO proud of herself because she stayed on the horse the entire duration of her ride.  Usually, she is nervous to the point of wanting to end her ride early.  This time, she was more comfortable in the saddle.  She also talked nonstop to the volunteer.  I am pretty sure she shared her life story.  

Jersey #2 broke the ice of her nervousness right at the start.  Cowboy Max walked her to the corral and introduced her to the volunteer.  As part of his introduction, he mentioned that he and Jersey #2 share something in common:  they have both had open-heart surgery.  Jersey #2 confirmed his statement with the volunteer, then turned to Cowboy Max and said, "Yes, but I have had heart surgery TWICE!"  All of the adults in earshot had a good laugh.  Cowboy Max told Jersey #2 that she was much tougher than he was, because he only had heart surgery once.  Armed with that affirmation, she walked confidently into the corral and had a blast riding the horse.  

During her ride, the horse needed to take a bathroom break.  Jersey #2 thought it was absolutely hilarious that her horse stopped to pee while she was in the saddle.  Oh the things that amuse this child...

Jersey #1 enjoyed her best riding day ever.  She loves horses.  She loves Galloping Grace Youth Ranch.  She tells everyone that her career aspiration is to become a teenager so that she can volunteer at the Ranch.  Paired up with a great volunteer, Jersey #1 was coached in how to control the horse through the reins, as well as through her body language.  She worked on her posture, and her breathing, while leading the horse around the barrels. 

The highlight of her riding experience was at the end, when she was able to take the horse up to a TROT!  As the horse picked up speed, Jersey #1 bounced a little in the saddle, and giggled her way around the corral.  She was so proud of herself that she was smiling from ear to ear.

In addition to riding the friendliest of horses, the children get to rotate through various stations throughout the ranch.

There is the gratuity station, where they make cards to send to folks who donate to the Ranch.

There is the fake horse where the kids get to learn to climb up into the saddle on their own, and guide the horses head with the reins.

There is the grooming station, where they get to brush, pet, and love on a horse.

As funny as it sounds, one of the favorite stations of the younger kids is the "work" station, where the kids get to rake and scoop horse poop out of the corral.

After completing the rotations, we hung around the Ranch a little longer to cool off at the Saloon

We took a turn at ropin' some cattle

Then, when they started trying to rope their siblings, we decided to call it a day!