Spring Has Sprung!

Finally!

I had a headache when I left work today.  But my grandkids were coming over to ride, and I knew it was going to get better.  My grand daughter, Jilly has the 'horse bug' bad, and takes every opportunity to come and ride.  It's what she thinks of when she sees a Sunny Day, or any day she knows the field won't be a muddy mess.  Thank Heaven she has good horses and stuff at her 'disposal', cause I can't wait to see 'where she goes with it'  She really just started riding last year, spending weeks with Wayne and I in Cascade, riding the pastures.  There were times she was scared, and a couple 'near misses' ...so to speak.  But she never ever didn't want to ride.  We teach the 'safest ways' and she has gotten soooo good!   To date, she has not hit the ground, and in many ways, that is getting less likely.  However, in many more ways, it's becoming so much more likely, due to her confidence.  I've told her parents, My son and daughter in law, that it is coming.  We all have 'one coming' if we ride enough.   One thing about a kid riding, is that there is so little weight in their little bodies.  And really, so little strength.  It would really take nothing for them to topple off.... practically a strong breeze could do it.  I am on them hard about the ways I want them to sit, with their legs and seat, and I do not relent.  I'm darn proud to say that Jilly is rarely 'wrong' in her seat/legs.  So, I've been able to go to other things that are actually kind of advanced for one her age.  6.  We teach adults who can't do what she does.....

Today was a super sunny day, so we just hung around outside for awhile, enjoying....

I felt my headache fading away.  And why wouldn't it?  Here I have some of my favorite people in the world....

Marshmallow shows here, that she is not one of those that is forced to partake in activities with the kids.  She is right in on the fun.  I didn't catch her at it (with the camera), but she was taking turns with the kids at drinking from the 'frost free'  If she didn't like these kids, she'd be at the far end of the field. 

Remember drinking from the hose when we were kids?  Ya know, they say ya shouldn't do that.  Impurities and such.  I'm here to tell you, my well water is some of the BEST I've ever had.  It's cold and so fresh and clean tasting.  And there is something about getting it right from the spout that is so delightful. 

Do you think they should be inside exercising their fingers/thumbs playing video games....or playing out here?  What brings on the biggest contagious smiles?

Bryce is all boy, so naturally, he just about always has a stick.  So, naturally, we have sticks all around our place, in all kinds of inappropriate places.  Luckily, when we ask him to get them picked up, he doesn't mind that either.  He'd have to do it anyway, cause I never take "No" for an answer.

I don't 'waite' on the kids much, I let them fend for themselves, as much as I think they can/should.  If you're thirsty.... well, ya know where the water is.

So, now they are getting ready to ride.  Again, I don't 'do it all' for them.  There is grooming to be done.... And since I'm not riding, I'm not doing it.

Who me?  note the stick! 

Marshmallow has a knack for getting quite muddy.... heheheheh.... glad I'm not riding!

This is a horse that is not going to be rode today.  Do you suppose she's saying "nanny nannny boo boo!"  ?  How rude!

Obviously, Jilly can't lift the saddle up, but the blanket is something she can practice on.  And though she's going to ride Beamer, we let her practice on Marshmallow, so she doesn't just throw her hands up in futility.  See the encouraging look on Marshmallow's face..."You can do it!"

And they're off/up!...whichever

Kind of looks a bit silly huh?  Littlest person on biggest horse... but when asked today, "Who do you wanna ride?"  He is her choice of the day.

That look of concentration sooooooooo reminds me of KTLM.  Today, when I helped her up, and she settled into the saddle.... she actually sighed.... I'm not making this up.  It was a physical happiness she felt ...and sighed.... then said "Oh, that feels good to be back"  She hadn't ridden since Monday.  Fields have been yucky, and it' was cold just yesterday (snow and all)  And apparently, since Monday was tooo long.  I didn't have to ask "What feels good?"  Cause I know just what she meant.  It's a girl/horse thing.

Anyway, that look of concentration.... I love it.  She always warms him up... cause I insist.  Walks and trots a bit....

Then she hits a lope.  This is so nice.  She sits so well.  This is the "seat" I've mentioned.  Legs forward, sitting back on her pockets, good posture, hands forward to give him nice loose reins.  He's quite a gentleman, and just loping along nice and quiet.  She's going to be in her first horse show this summer, and THIS is the picture that just might win the day.

Today, I'm just letting them play, not a lesson.  I've told her, "You can do what you like, as long as it's right."  So, she's made up a game with her Mom.  "When we go by each other, we have to High 5!"  You've seen lots of pictures of Jilly.  I'll describe her personality a bit.  She talks A LOT ... I mean....

 A LOT! She's incredibly inquisitive, learns quickly, determined, well mannered, polite, interrupting, (cause she wants to talk A LOT) self improving, wants to be the best, Worries about not doing her best, a great big sister, and BOSSY.  (No clue where she gets that from)  So, when she made up this game, she is now in her element.  Bossing her Mom around while horseback.  Imagine the chaos!

Telling us 'whatfor'  See the look on her face?  That's bossy...and she's talking....a lot...... See the look on Beamer's face?  Practically rolling his eyes, one ear on the path in front, one listening to her talk....a lot ... my headache is gone, but he might have one!  Oh, now....that's funny!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this.  I don't like when kids are too stiff and scared to move around in their saddle.  I don't think she's stiff.... and he appreciates the pet.... though I'm sure it's his head that hurts (all the talking ya know)....ehheeheh

OK, I lied.... wasn't going to give a  'lesson', but my house, my rules, and they can change at any given moment.  I decided to teach her a bit about posting.  So, here is her first posting trot photos.  And she got it!  yay!  Luckily, Beamer knows this field like the back of his hoof, cuz he appears to be sleeping.

Well, I wasn't' going to ride, but Jess had to have a break, so I'm up.... in totally inappropriate clothing/boots.  Oh well, all clothes are meant to ride in, and they are boots after all..In this pic, I'm on the phone with Wayne....

See what I mean by "Great Big Sister"?  She hugging him...ahhhhh

Not to be outdone by my own kids,  here is my spectacular leap over the jump.  NO?  My story!

Look ma!!!! No hands!

Jilly has done some trot overs..... so, why not jump?

Yep, why not jump...what's not to love?  I'm not totally crazy, those logs aren't up..... but I bet they soon will be.

Beamer is 17 hands tall.  That's TALL.  And if you're just a squirt, it's real tall.  But, as I've said, I don't do things for them....so she knows how to get off. 

Take your left foot out, to just the toe.

Swing your right leg around

Take your left foot out of the stirrup, and start sliding down.  HOLD ON

Down, down ...make sure nothing is caught on anything, if it is...(and her shirt was caught on the stirrup) uncatch it, while hanging on with other hand

Continue to drop

Til you land on your feet.  Now, I didn't have her do it alone all the time.  But I've had her do it, while I have hold of the back of her coat, shirt, belt loop, to make sure they don't fall back on their butt (too hard, cause I do let them know it can happen)  and to not fall under the horse.  I'm not too worried about these horses, cause they are gentle, but no one needs to be under a horse.  But she can do this by herself now, or I'd be right there.   I guess I should add "Don't try this at home"  There has been a lot of practice, but yes, you might be thinking, "Accidents happen"  Yep, but we do the best we can to make sure they know how to respond, in case of an accident. 

Another key point here, is that I have her get off at different spots in the field...or wherever we are.  I never want him thinking that she'll always get off in one spot, especially by the gate or barn.  If he thought that, he'd always be wanting to go there.  Horses can be like that..... Barn sour, etc..... so, we do our best not to help create that.   He never knows when it will be over, or where.

Ta da!

Yep, my headache is gone