Riding Lessons

Abby and Phantom

If you would have told me that one day I'd be paying someone to give one of my kids horse riding lessons, I would have called you crazy. I spent more time on horses growing up than I did being social with actual humans. I could ride bareback, barefoot, in a pond. All at the same time. I always thought that I'd be able to pass on my knowledge of horses to my young ones without any problems. What I didn't think of was what I am obviously missing - a horse. My  mom has two horses, but neither of them are anywhere near being kid-broke. As I don't have land of my own, I can't have a horse of my own and neither can my kids.

So, Abby has struggled with extra-curricular activities. She doesn't want to participate in anything at school and most definitely doesn't want to play sports. When I asked her what she'd like to try, she said, "nothing." One day I ran across an ad in the local paper for a lady in our town that gives riding lessons at a very reasonable price. When I mentioned it to Abby, she nearly flipped out! She got so excited that I decided that it was something we could do for her. I signed her up and the lady, Miss Janna, is super awesome. She is very sweet, incredibly knowledgeable, and has a really down-to-earth attitude when it comes to riding and horses. Best of all? It's western riding. None of that fancy-schmancy english riding. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's just not my style.

Abby has had six lessons thus far and she's really blossoming. She can name all the riding parts (saddle, stirrups, bridle, etc.) and can lead her horse to the arena and ride on her own. She's ridden two horses - T.J. and Phantom. That girl is really in her element and she is in love. One day, I hope to go riding with her. It will be amazing and I can't wait. So am I ashamed to pay someone to do this? No. Because currently, I don't have the means to do it myself. I am so happy that she has found a new passion and I am blessed to know that we really are a lot alike, Abby and me.

She could groom them all day.

Abby and T.J.

Finally on "The Black". She's always wanted to ride a black horse.