Horsin' Around

Earlier this week we visited a friend and her daughter at the brand new house. They just finished building it and moving in. They are an army family like us, and the dad is in Iraq just like ours is.

Their new house sits on 10 acres, enough room for 4 horses and 2 donkeys to run and play. Drew and Hunter got to ride a horse named Belle. Louisa did, too, but she didn't want me to take pictures of her. She's too big-girl for that stuff now.

Drew and Hunter had a blast, though. Neither one was scared at all. My friend led the horse around and the boys sat on the saddle very well. She went into a full trot with Drew, but he said he preferred the slower pace.

I don't know too many people who can keep up with Drew and his non-stop chatter, but this friend can. Her and Drew and Belle walked in circles for a long time and talked about horses and how to ride them and care for them.

Louisa got to spend the night and learn how to wash and brush a horse. When we came back the next day the girls had braided Belle's mane! She also got to lead the horses.

They have another horse named Waylon who is still a teenager. He's a bit feisty still and they don't attempt to ride him too often yet. He needs to be broken, yet he's part Arabian which means it will be quite a task to break him. My friend loves his wild side and doesn't want to do too much to take that out of him. She told us not to pet him or get behind him, but Louisa with no fear walked right up to Waylon and pet his nose. She talked softly to him and kept petting him. After that he followed her around. Future "horse whisperer"?

Now of course she's begging for horse lessons. We've been around this circle before. Our friend's neighbor does give lessons for pretty cheap.... so..... we'll have to see.

Until then, here's a few pictures of the boys and Belle.