Giddy Up!

Friday afternoon was a family outing to the horse stables for an English riding lesson. At the stables, the girls picked out which pony they would be riding from the stalls, while Eric and I looked on as the trainer picked out a horse for us. We then watched them prep the animals for our lessons. Adeline and Emmie helped groom the pony before the saddle was put in place. We then followed the animals and trainers to a covered riding arena. 

Emmie was first to ride the pony and Eric went first on the horse. The lessons began with them first walking and getting used to being on the horse and then proceeded to a slow trot. The trainer switched Emmie so she was riding backwards a few times so Emmie would not get dizzy from constantly going in small circles. She was happy to be riding the pony, even if it was a bumpy ride while it was trotting. 

Meanwhile, Eric was learning quickly how to handle the horse and began holding on with only one hand. Eric proceeded to walk the horse around the entire area with the trainer. The trainer left Eric alone on the horse as he tended to another customer, so Eric continued trotting around the arena.  

After 30 minutes, Adeline was now on the pony and listening to the trainer's instructions. She was throughly enjoying her ride as her patience was getting thin towards the end of Emmie's time on the pony.

It was now my turn on the horse and I managed through my lesson. It took me a little longer to get the rhythm of riding and I never got real comfortable being on the horse. I was relieved when my two feet were back on the ground, but I am very glad I tried it. 

During the end of my lesson, the girls were taking turns of riding and walking the pony around the arena. Adeline and Emmie had a great time riding the pony along with Eric who learned how to ride a horse. The girls asked if we could return the next day and do it all over again before we were even past the last stable on our way out.