Cowgirls

For about a year, we've been promising Maggie that she could have horse riding lessons. She's been pretty patient for the most part, reminding us here and there, to make sure that we weren't forgetting. So, for some reason, we started her lessons at the busiest time ever--right around the end of September when we had soccer, dance and piano. Go figure. Since they are kind of spendy, we told her that she could only have 5 or 6 lessons. The teacher also gave a little discount if there were two people in the lesson, so we got Lydia signed up, too. When we first started going, there really wasn't any place to sit and watch them. They had some tables and chairs set up outside of the arena, but the walls were so high that we couldn't see over them. The first week, we hung out outside, but there were these two big dogs that kept following us around and Bella was really scared of them. So, I had to hold Noah and keep the dogs away from Bella. So, from then on we sat in the car during the hour long lessons.

On about the 3rd or 4th lesson, the teacher--Janice, left the girls alone in the arena while they were walking the horses. She was gone for about ten minutes, but in that time Lydia's horse (Tanner) decided to start trotting and Lydia got a little freaked out because she couldn't make him stop and she was afraid that she would fall off. So, Maggie helped her stop Tanner and get her off. After that incident, she didn't want to take lessons anymore. We got her to take one more lesson on a day that Garrett was able to go and watch them. But she wouldn't do any more after that. I think she was really scared that one day. Since Garrett didn't have any kids, he was able to take the camera and get some pictures and videos of the girls.

Maggie absolutely loved every minute of every lesson. They learned how to brush and take care of the horse, how to clean out the hooves, how to put on the sadle and the bridle; the proper way to get on and off the horse; and Maggie towards the end was learning how to trot. She would love to take lessons again and wants to have horses when she gets older. I think it was a good experience for both of them and I'm glad that they finally got the chance to learn; and I'm glad that we are finally done with all the lessons!

Lydia riding Cisco for the day, since she was scared of Tanner

Maggie and Tanner