Beautiful Thursday

I'm running late this morning, so today's post will be mostly pictures, all taken by youngest daughter, R!

R played with the camera during the lesson and
snapped this beautiful shot of the sky.


Great closeup of one of the barn cats...


Capturing E and Monte as they pass by....


You're always looking through the rails when you're only 7...

More firsts

Monte attended his first 4-H ride night yesterday. I was a little concerned that the mares (who are all in heat at the moment) might bring out some bad behavior in our recently-gelded guy (5 months ago), but he proved himself to be a gentleman and mostly ignored the girls and their excited "flirting."

He was quite nervous, however, and E had to work while riding. We assume that this is his first experience in an arena full of girls and horses, all careening around at different paces. It will take time for him to get used to the other riders and also to trust E and know that she won't purposefully put him in any dangerous situations.

During the last half hour of the ride, E dismounted and lead Monte around different parts of the arena, allowing all the commotion to swirl around her and her horse, in an attempt to help desensitize him.

I am still a bit stiff from Saturday's tumble and certain movements cause lovely facial grimaces, but overall I am feeling better. We are supposed to participate in an orienteering ride on Saturday. Today, the thought of sitting in a saddle for any length of time is not all that appealing. Hopefully that will change!