The girl's first horse riding lessons

We discovered a treasure of a horse stable just on the outskirts of town last weekend. The stable had sent out a flyer for summer classes so we went to check it out and see if the girls would be interested in taking lessons. (of course they were! )

Tucked back off the main road heading to Fada, is this fantastic property filled with stall after stall of horses, and riding grounds for both beginners and those more experienced.

I was a little hesitant to sign the girls up for lessons, because all the horses in the stalls we saw were these huge males, and many of them were fighting with each other, like, literally trying to climb over those dividing fences to bite each other necks. But, that's probably what you get when all the horses are males and none of them are neutered.

So naturally I was wanting something more along the size and temperament of a donkey for the girls to learn on. =) They didn't have donkeys, but when we came back today with a friend who rides here, she did show us the slightly smaller horses kept separate for the beginner riders.

So, the girls tried their hand at really legitimately riding a horse today. None of that stuff you do at fairs where they are tethered to some spinny thing! Real lessons. And they both loved it! They picked out riding helmets, all of which were too big for Marvelly so I will just bring her bike helmet next time. =)

They will learn to saddle their horse and hoist themselves up. They will learn basic commands for the horse, how to make them go, and stop. How to hold the reigns properly. How to sit. How to bounce with the horse. Today they worked with them on arm exercises to keep their muscles loose while gripping the reigns. I have zero experience with horses, so this is all new to me too.

Sydaleigh could not have been more thrilled. She was so confident. And even though this was brand new to her, you'd never know it looking at her...she was so poised and at perfect ease. 

Marvelly really liked it, but I'm unsure due to her age and other interests how long those sentiments will last, so I only purchased lesson "tickets" today instead of investing in a whole annual program. I hope she likes it enough to stick with it. But she definitely had fun up there.

 It's just a fun hobby to gain experience in. Learning to ride and care for a horse.

Just fun. I love it. I love that they are so enthusiastic and this gives them something fun to do during the summer.

 A great first lesson! My little equestrians!