Horses on Saturday

Natalie has started horseback riding lessons at a local stable.  It is one of the PE options we have with the homeschool charter we use, so we don't have to pay anything.  Pretty amazing that she gets private weekly lessons!  This past week her lesson was a tough one...the owner took over halfway through her lesson and he wasn't aware it was only her 3rd lesson.  So he expected her to have better control of her horse and she got a bit of a talking-to.  Long story short, she ended the lesson in tears.  I wasn't there that day (one of our helpers had brought her and Jacob and the helper was outside with Jacob) and so I think she felt extra vulnerable.  

The owner felt pretty bad once he realized that she was just starting out and all the other details of the afternoon.  So he called me and offered to let her come today (Saturday) to hang out a bit and meet some older girls at the stables.  She got to ride the pony for the first time, as well as a horse named Comet that she has been wanting the chance to get on.  And she met all these sweet "older" girls who made her feel special.  Great afternoon!  

Here she is on the pony, Bailey, practicing her balance.  She was also reminded often to keep her toes pointed up!!

 The owner also kindly offered to let Sydney take a ride on the pony.  I couldn't believe that she said yes - she is really timid about stuff like that, usually.  Here she is picking out a helmet.  She was sooo cute!

On Bailey.  She is so little still that when they had her use the platform to get on, it wasn't tall enough.  The two girls and the owner joined together to hoist her up...hahaha.  She looked so tiny out there!  When she got on, she yelled "yee-haw, I'm a cowgirl!"

Natalie came up on Comet to say hello.  Hi there, Comet!!

Sydney on Bailey in front, Natalie on Comet in back.  I could not focus fast enough!!

After about 15 minutes she got off Bailey.  She had such a big grin on her face as she walked away.  I am really proud of her for trying it out!

They got to groom Comet afterwards.  Natalie loves the grooming so much!

Here's Natalie telling Sydney how to use the grooming tools.  The expert she is after a couple of lessons, of course.  :)