Ridin’ in the Backyard

This is a regular day on a weekend at our house.  Grandkids and others come to play and learn to ride.  Precious is the pony and she loves these kids.  She will stand for hours on end while they pet and comb her mane and tail.  Never has she offered to be mean, biting or kicking.  We tell them she might, she is a horse after all, but she must be treated kindly.  She has on occasion bucked one off, or just tip herself over when she's done.... and that's fair.  These kids love their time with her, and they all teach one another.  It's an incredible learning experience for them all, and prepares them for their time with bigger horses.  They all ride bigger horses too....but we don't let them have all this free time with them.  If Precious steps on their toes, it's relatively tolerable, compared to one of our big ones.  That would leave a mark physically and emotionally.  Our goal is for kids to grow up loving horses while learning respect.  We can tell them, that's gonna hurt....but living it is believing it!  Yep, they fall.... and they get right back on, and giggle about it.

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ahh...see?  She is letting herself get off center.  Discovers it's up to her to stay on!  Or she falls off!   And gets back on, happy as a pumpkin.  No better way to learn!  I could've told her, but now she won't forget.

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My Grandson's Mom (my daughter Katie) got there and tried to scold me for leaving them all alone in the round pen without adult supervision.  The kids convinced her they loved it....and I was right there.  She was on a horse (big one at age 3) by herself.  How soon they forget!  Cash (far right above) is telling her "simmer down"

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You can't tell me this doesn't look like innocent ole' time fun!  I wish all kids had this opportunity. 

Jessie