The Love of Horses and More Horses

Kamryn and Liv came for a short visit the end of this week.  They went to the last day of VBS in Jordan and we able to go to Linford's to see the baby colts.  They are so cute!  We got the girls used to the mares that are the three-year olds and two-year olds.  They were so friendly and we gave them "cake" to eat out of our hands.  I didn't take pictures of that, but the girls just relaxed around them.  Then we walked over to see the saddle horses and two of the five LOVE peppermint candy, so we got slobbered on a little.  Liv didn't like that very well!

Just a pass by before they decided they could come back!

Oh, would not it be nice to have one of those around?  Cowboy tells me that it is hard to get them grown as they get in the wire and all kinds of serious trouble...

Pretty easy going baby and curious.  Cowboy says that this little one is saying, "When I grow up, I am going to be BIG horse!"

They keep coming for a little treat from the pickup Jack drove in there.

Getting a little closer...

Nuzzling Wendy...

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Kamy is relaxed and this little one just is so curious and wants to have a good sniff and be friends...  Kamy is busy stroking one of the mares.

As Jennifer says, "Dad really likes the colts too!"  He reins in his feelings with practicality and says, no colts.

Sunday was the last day at the ranch for the girls.  Sunday morning was for riding.  Since the stirrups had to be let down for Kamy, Liv got to ride first.  She was instructed to pet and talk to Doc so he could get used to her and her voice.

A few more times around the lot.

Now she is on her own and the instructions begin...  My palms are sweaty for her.  Grandgirls so want to please their grandfathers and to do it right the FIRST time when we all know it takes time in the saddle to get some of those lessons.  That is just the way it is...

Still working on the "steering"...

Kamy's turn to get acquainted with Doc since she grew up on "My Joe" and he has been her horse forever.

That small saddle is almost too small for her and the way she is shooting up, it will be sooner than later.  Doc was a good teacher, but Cowboy thinks he would flimflam these kids before long.  You know how those gentle horses can be.

There is nothing like being on a horse, smelling them, smelling leather, the feel of them under you.  I was always so horse crazy myself.  My maternal grandfather had lots of horses, so I must have inherited some of that love of horses.  I could not get to the ranch soon enough in the summers so I could ride.  Oh, I had lots of mishaps and buck offs and falloffs.  Luckily I didn't have any broken bones.  Now, the thought of mishaps and creaking bones...well, you know!  I was so thankful Cowboy PopPop took the time this morning to saddle the horse and take the time with the girls as he was due at a branding at Joe's.  These are the moments they will remember.  Those fleeting moments when telling Mommy and Daddy about riding the horse!

There isn't anything like it and I feel sorry for those that have never gotten to experience being around horses...