First Riding Lesson

My oldest kids, Hunter 6 and Sage 4, had their first riding lesson. They had been led on horses last year when I volunteered at the hippotherapy center.

To date, the kids have been sensible but fearless being on and near horses. I felt like the timing was right to start teaching them how to ride,.

They groomed Jackson, a very sweet old gelding who has taught many children the basics of riding over the years. Hunter did the high parts, brushing all the dirt on Sage's head as she worked the low parts. Being little guys, they pretty much cleaned one shoulder over and over again, but the job got done so he could be tacked up. It was the first time the kids have ever had a kid sized saddle to ride in, still too big for my tiny Sage, but much better than the adult size saddle or bareback pad they had been on before.

Hunter was up first. Concentrating hard on learning how much rein pressure it took to steer.

By the end of the lesson, the trainer let him try a short trot. He lost his stirrup but lit up with excitement. When he was done he came over to me bragging about how great he did "at a trout"

Sage needed the trainer to get up on the mounting block with her and then pick her up to get her mounted. Even for a four-year-old, she is small. She rode with the same confidence as her brother, concentrating on the steering system.

By the end of the lesson both kids were proud of what they had tried and eager to ride again.