Back in the Saddle

* We waited for these moments....and here they are. * These first few are a couple weeks ago, on a real warm day obviously. * We didn't have Marshmallow home, but Beamer here is more than up to the job of taking care of our girl.

She asked on the way home from school if she could ride.... so who am I to say "no"?

I admit, that I was a more tense than she had a clue that I was. She is wayyy better than she was even the month before. But she's not completely strong yet....and horseback riding is a dangerous sport. * Though I trust these horses with my Grandchildren, obviously, I do know that things can happen. * We just do everything we can to minimize the dangers. * With all that said, everything went perfectly, as I knew it would. * But I have to quiet my Heart from time to time.

That is a pretty happy looking girl right there!

Beamer is as kind a horse as can be, and he's always loved working with Jilly, as opposed to a hard day's work, so he's darn smooth and careful with the kids.

At time to get off, I offered to help her down, which typically I do not do. But in this case I wondered about her legs 'catching' as she dropped. But she said she could do it, and who am I to say no? No one, that's who. * This horse is 17 hands tall.... so it's a drop, for whoever is getting off him. And he's always stood so quietly for the kids to do what they have to do to get off safely.

Then, he lowers his head for her to take the reins over his neck to lead him to unsaddle him. I do love this horse!

She gets a little hug when she has the opportunity

Ginger is Jilly's next prospect. She is a 2 year old, and has been saddled twice, and I'm betting you'll be seeing Jilly atop her this summer.

The rest of these pictures were yesterday after school. Again, it was a nice day, and Jilly wanted to ride. We've sold this horse, so she wants to get as many rides in as possible, before he leaves. He was sold last Fall, but the owners are having him picked up the end of April. It is sad, and the kids will all miss him. I'll miss him! But he's going to be a great addition to some folks in Kansas.

Here she is about to put the reins over his head, and gives him a bit of a bend, once mounted. Never a bad thing to do.

ahhhh..... What a beautiful site!

The first ride a couple weeks ago, she walked and trotted a tiny bit. Today, I turned around and she had him loping. I'd said she could do what she was comfortable with. And they look pretty darn comfortable. THAT is a smile on her face!

Pets for a job well done. I do love a kid who is happy to love their horse. It means so much to them both to build this kind of connection and relationship

After unsaddling, she takes him out to take the bridle off. Again, I couldn't really ask more of this horse. The way he lowers his head wayyyyy down for her to take the bridle off. We did train him to do it, but he took it to another level, and just helps her out a lot.

She pulls it from behind his ears, and then lets him back out of it with his teeth. He knows she going to, so it's not going to clank on his teeth and hurt him. If he thought that would happen, his head wouldn't be so low for her to do it. But they've both been taught to care for one another. And she knows she better not let that headstall hit the ground. She takes good care of it!

That is her, "Yes Grandma, I am taking good care of it" look !

One of the things I really love, is that he's in no big hurry to get away from her. He just hangs out and watches out for her. Again, a caring and giving relationship with both of them

And then she hangs her stuff up

Katie, here is the culprit. Doesn't he look innocent?

Yep, I love these days, and I'm looking forward to a summer of so many more!

At the end of this day, I am able to report that Jilly went to a final Dr. Appt for a follow up. Basically, Jilly looked so good that the Dr. doesn't really want to see her any more! There is some scarring in her lung, but it shouldn't be anything that should affect her. He says "overall it's an impressive Miracle, and nothing short of that"

We knew that, but it never gets old saying it. So many of us learned thru this experience, that life can change in AN INSTANT. Make the best of the time you have.

And love the children in your life today every day