At the Ranch

Today the kidlets started a new adventure: weekly riding lessons at the sweetest little ranch. While I was excited about the riding lessons, I wasn't so excited about all of us spending time in a sun-baked riding ring, inland of the ocean, where it can be 10 to 20 degrees hotter than it is at our house on any given summer day. Turned out not to be so. The ranch is in a bit of a valley along a creek bed with plenty of natural shade and the kids' lessons are mostly on a shady little trail that actually has water mist-ers to keep horses and little riders cool.

The instructors are fabulous. Kai, my anxious one, was putty in their hands with their calm, no demands approach. During our visit a few weeks ago he went from hiding behind me and making everyone promise that no horse would sniff him, to leading, brushing and petting the horse.

Teia, our natural born horsewoman, was there for moral support:

The visit went so well that the kids have been counting down sleeps until they could go back. Today was the big day. They both looked a little anxious awaiting the arrival of their steeds. Moments earlier Teia had been on springs about riding but she got a little serious as the big moment approached.

But as soon as their horses arrived they quickly mounted and were off. Both of them were in charge, using voice commands and the reins to steer their horses. It was about the cutest thing I've ever seen. 

I managed to get some video with both of them riding:

By the end of Kai's lesson he was laughing and had an ear to ear grin. And Teia, well it goes without saying....horse heaven. 

Look at that face. 

At the end of their lesson, they got to feed carrots to their horses. Kai enjoyed this part but is still a little bit worried about being sniffed!