Horses

Kayla started horseback riding lessons today and it was an absolute dream for all of us. I love those moments with kids when you see them totally light up... when they are at their absolute happiest. For Kayla that is when she is on stage in a play or now, on a horse's back.
I think her face must hurt after all that smiling she did today!
Buster Brown is the horse she'll be riding in lessons and he is such a gentle guy.
What I love about this particular instructor is that she believes in teaching the child absolutely everything about a horse and it's care.
Kayla has to bridle and saddle her horse (with some help because the saddle is as big as her) and brush and clean the horse, right down to his hooves.
On days that will be too hot to ride, she will spend her lesson time bathing the horse and mucking out his stall.
The goal of this particular instructor is to teach the child to be totally comfortable and efficient at not only riding a horse but caring for one.
Some of her students have gone on to become proficient enough to buy their own horse which she then boards for them on her property.
It was a cool and overcast day here in AZ so it was a treat for all of us to sit and watch Kayla during her first lesson!