Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Blue has many riders

My next-door neighbor, Marvin, has four kids, I think; or is it five?  This is Anna, the twelve-year-old.  Her parents have promised her a horse, and she wants to practice riding so she'll be ready when the time comes.  Since Natalie has been riding Blue with no threat of danger to herself, I'm letting Anna ride, as long as I'm up to going out and supervising closely.  She's building her confidence, and as she does so, Blue is more content.

Her eight-year-old sister, Mariah, came along last time, wanting to ride.  This time they also had Spencer, their five-year-old brother, in tow.

"I suppose you want a ride too?"  I asked him.  He just nodded silently.  All Marvin's children are soft-spoken, and seem rather fragile.  Of course, I'm accustomed to my grandchildren who, like their grandma, are robust and loud.

So I spent the better part of an hour, giving tips on grooming and riding and, at the last, leading Blue around the yard with the two younger kids on his back. 

It's rewarding, though.  The look on Anna's face as she rides is priceless.

We intend to buy a riding helmet for Natalie.  I'll let Anna use if if possible... although she has a small head, so it may not work for her.  Maybe I should pursuade her parents to buy her one.  If they really ARE going to buy her a horse, she'll be needing it anyway.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear about the helmet.  Blue must be a special horse indeed to have so many different riders.  He certainly isn't tempermental.

Anonymous said...

GREAT PICTURE. Blue is a good horse & pretty too. You snapped a good pose.  You can see the shy grin on the girls face. She's happy to be where she is right now. It's great that you have the patience to work with all those children. I notice it looks like blue has one white foot. Am I seeing things or it it really white? Helen

Anonymous said...

What a great picture! Love it! I definitely think a helmet would be wisefor her parents to buy.. and I hope that they do follow through with getting her the horse..:)Mel

http://journals.aol.com/domesticatedchic/SomethingLikeLifePartDeux/

Anonymous said...

Great picture. Kids have so much magic in them.

Anonymous said...

What lucky kids to have such a patient Blue.. and such a patient YOU! Great pic, she looks thrilled.
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

BLUE is a nice looking horse; is he a Morgan?
GOOD FOR YOU... helping kids realize their dream to even just be near horses!

Anonymous said...

You are starting an epidemic of the love of horses in these kids.  What a great thing.  
Sonya

Anonymous said...

I loved horses so much as a girl. If I had my way, every little girl would have a horse to be friends with. :-)

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this picture! The look on that child's face is priceless..and you let all of them ride! That was so sweet and God will add another jewel to your crown!
Take care,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this picture! The look on that child's face is priceless..and you let all of them ride! That was so sweet and God will add another jewel to your crown!
Take care,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

Oh I love this picture! The look on that child's face is priceless..and you let all of them ride! That was so sweet and God will add another jewel to your crown!
Take care,
Carlene

Anonymous said...

hehehe....lol.........sorry...another one of aol's  little glitches!
Carlene

Anonymous said...

She looks a little scared.  To me.  Maybe I'm just projecting because horses terrify me.  You must be a total hero to those kids!!    Russ