My Niece's First Horse Ride!!

My OH's mom and step dad watch our niece K a couple days a week. So a couple weeks ago when my OH and I were going on another trail ride, we gave them a call to see if they wanted to bring K to the trail head to watch us get the horses ready for our ride. They would also be able to watch us head out onto the trails. Our niece is totally head over heels in love with horses (I wonder how that happened?). She is 3 1/2 yrs old and my sister in law is in serious trouble when this little girl gets older. I don't think she realizes how serious little K's love of horses is and what is going to happen when she wants her own horse, but for right now she calls my horses "her horses". 

So once we got to the trail head, little K got to see us unload the horses out of the trailer, which she has never seen before. Little K has only seen me ride the horses twice, at home. She got to watch us groom them, saddle them and get on. We also had our dog Bailey with us for his 2nd trail ride. We were hoping that we could get little K to sit up in the saddle with me once I got on Brandy. My mother in law asked little K if she wanted to sit up on the horse with me. She kept saying no. She absolutely did not want to get on. I knew that she would say no. But I was hoping that once she saw me on she would change her mind. We did not want to push her into doing it. Once I was on Brandy, my MIL again asked little K if she wanted to sit on the horse with me. She said no, but this time it wasn't a definite no. I told her where she could sit and she finally said yes. My MIL put her up in the saddle in front of me and I wrapped my arms around her. Sorry for the bad photography in this first picture.... this is what happens when I give my smartphone to a not so savvy smartphone user... my OH.

Little K's first ride!

Of course my MIL didn't dress her very appropriately for the occasion. She let her wear her pj's, but they did have horses on them!! After a couple minutes, we asked little K if she wanted to take a couple steps. She said no but then quickly changed her mind. I showed her how to hang on to the saddle horn and we walked a few steps. From what I was told, little K's face lit up like you wouldn't believe!

Taking a couple steps.

I didn't think we would be able to get her off of the horse, she could not stop smiling.

We sent this picture to little K's mom right after the big event!

I immediately sent a picture of little K on the horse to her mom. She texted me back right away and could not believe that little K actually got on the horse!! She was so excited!! Then little K got to see us head out onto the trails. I think we made one little girl extremely happy that day and I am sure that is all she talked about when she got home to her mom and dad. 

We had planned to go on a pretty long ride that day, as long as Bailey didn't get too tired. Bailey was super good this time and never wandered off out of our sight. 

My OH and his beloved Fritzy.

We stopped at the bathrooms and rested for about half an hour to let our horses and Bailey rest. This next picture really shows how much bigger Fritzy is then Brandy. My little delicate Arab looks so small next to the big butt Paint, Fritzy!

My OH and Bailey.

We ended up riding for 4 hours. Bailey was fantastic the whole ride. He stayed right with us and loved every minute of it!!

Bailey and I.

Now that little K has been on a horse for the first time, we have been talking about future rides. She already has cowgirl boots and a hat. Now we want to get her a helmet. This girl is going to be quite the rider when she gets older. I do not see her love of horses going away anytime in the near future, if ever!!