Noah's First Riding Lesson

Dear Noah, This weekend you totally blew my mind. You have been expressing interest in riding horses, so I decided to try one lesson for you. Although you are considered "too young," Ms. Katie (the instructor) said we could try it. True to your nature, you surprised all of us, and best of all, YOU LOVED IT! First, you went with Ms. Katie and Playboy (the horse) without even looking back once... You learned the names of all the brushes and the purpose of each. You listened to Ms. Katie and worked very hard to brush the parts of Playboy that you could reach!! :)

Next, you learned how to clean a horse's feet while learning some horse anatomy. Again, you were totally focused, and you did a great job on Playboy's feet.

Time to saddle up! I love this next picture of you talking to Playboy...I have no idea what the two of you were discussing, but clearly the horse is listening to every word...just look at his ears! You had no fear of this big animal and you were so gentle with him.

You learned the names of all the tack used to ride. You even tried your best to put the saddle blanket on your horse!

You got in the saddle without an ounce of apprehension (I wish I could say the same for Mommy!) and you took the reins (literally!). In this one lesson, you learned to walk, stop, go right, go left and back up. Ms. Katie quizzed you on the gaits of a horse, and you knew them!

I was amazed at how well you pay attention and keep focused even after an hour!

Backing up....

You may not realize this now, but I have had a lifelong love of horses and riding. To see you enjoying this as much as I did is amazing. Who knows? Maybe you will like this for awhile and then move on to other adventures....but I am happy you are getting to experience this kind of joy. I realized that this is the first "thing" that you can truly call your own...the first time that you are doing something not because your brother does it, but because you intiated it.

I am proud of you little man....

Love,

Mommy