Horsin' Around!

Colin and Tatum are really loving their horseback riding lessons. Colin has been learning the brushes and how to groom Buttercup. He has been working on his commands and just started doin the poles and the cones. Miss Julie has him throwing bean bags through hoops, grabbing clothespins off of Buttercup's mane for stretches and pointing to parts of his body while Buttercup is walking. Colin rides with reins and just learned the correct way to hold them. Tatum has switched horses and now rides Sparkle. Sparkle is the new pony of the bunch and is very gentle. Tatum is practicing her commands as well. She is doing Simon Says on Sparkle. She must touch her hat, her knees and hold her arms out like an airplane. Tatum rides with a horn on the saddle...it's the cutest little saddle! They are both loving this new experience and I'm loving watching them!

Colin and Buttercup

Colin had his first horse back riding lesson. I was pretty nervous about it even though Colin said he was excited. It took a few tries to get that helmet on him! When we told him that he couldn't ride without it, the helmet went on. He wasn't thrilled about it, but it stayed on. You should have seen the smile when Buttercup was brought in! Colin worked with Julie to brush Buttercup. He did such a good job! He had to use many different brushes and even pick the hooves. Then, we walked into the indoor ring. Julie helped Colin onto Buttercup and got his feet into the stirrups. They walked around the ring, did the cones and walked over the beams. Colin had the count, name colors, sing the alphabet and ride while holding a die. At the end of the lesson, Colin had to brush down Buttercup again. He can't wait to do it again next week!