Isabella's Birthday - the horses part

On Isabella's birthday morning some wonderful friends of ours agreed to let us come out to their house and ride horses. Since Isabella is a horse crazy girl this was something she (and everyone else) was very very excited about!

When Mr. Mike asked for a volunteer only Xander was ready to be that brave yet, so he got to go help catch the horse that was going to be ridden. Mr. Mike let Xander do a lot, lead the horse around etc.

Isabella never really did volunteer, but eventually she was drafted into helping. She got to lug the saddle over to the horse.

Ari, as always, was pretty fearless.

They all got to brush the horse, which was losing it's winter coat, so there was a lot to brush out. Mike also cut off a hunk of tail and tried to give it to Isabella for a birthday present. She declined, but it is in Xander's room now and he thinks it's pretty cool. Apparently Mr. Mike wisely told him he could not sleep with it.

Xander, again being the bravest, was the first to ride. He spent the most time on the horse, so I have tons of pictures of him riding!

Kole was not going to be left out of this thing! He had fun riding and watching everyone else ride.

Ari also loved riding and did a great job, even when the horse went pretty fast and she started sliding off she didn't get scared, she kept on going and rode several times.

Xander really liked it when the horse trotted. He too almost slid off once, but it didn't put a damper on anything for him, in fact, it makes for a fun story. He also liked it when Mr. Mike would make the horse turn around and start going the other way. He liked the "hang on tight" kind of moments.

Isabella loved being around the horses, and really liked leading it around (even though one turned around and nibbled at her shirt). She liked riding, but not as much as she thought she would. It was pretty nerve wracking for her. Though she did do it a couple times and it was longer each time. (she had her first lesson yesterday though and loved every minute of it and said she wasn't nervous this time, and was very comfortable on the horse)
the onlookers

Sophia did not trust that horse one bit. She rode twice, but she was serious about the horse going slow, and Mr. Mike had better not let go of that lead rope!

Flying on the horse knocked his helmet lose!





Mike got out a riding crop for Xander because his feet wouldn't reach the horses sides, only the saddle, so when he tried to kick the horse didn't care.

Xander hooked Papa with the lead rope.
Sophia enjoying her second ride a little more.
Isabella stopped riding in favor of leading a little.
Ari really liked the crop :) she ran around with it quite a bit.

brushing the horse down after the ride.
Xander leading it back to the field.

After we were finished riding they got to go in and feed the horses some apple slices.

Ari, again fearless.

They had a GREAT time!