Cowgirl Up

While my grandparents had a farm growing up, I was told we could never have horses. They were too much maintenance and too dangerous. So, I resulted to picking eggs, feeding chicks, and the like. They were all good memories. But, it wouldn't be until I was 23 years old and living in Southern California, that I would have my first ride on a horse. It was a trail ride in Descanso and one of the best days ever! It felt so natural to ride. It was relaxing. Therapeutic almost.

Fast forward to 2011. Our little Kate is obsessed with horses. She wears them on her shirts, carries stuffed varieties on road trips, and recently received an American Girl Palomino compliments of Nana. So, it was no surprise to us that this year, she chose to have Horseback Riding lessons instead of dance.

This is her with Hannah.

Hannah is an American Paint Horse. 7 years old.

She enjoyed cleaning her and putting cream on her "boo boos". It was A+D diaper rash cream. Who knew there were so many uses?

This is Miles. He is a Morgan. 17 years old.

Katie thought it was gross that he drooled all over the place. We learned a little too much clover causes for a bit too much gas.

She brushed, and brushed, and brushed some more. Then, took her cleaning to another level, cleaning the frog of his hoof. She thought it was neat he got to walk around without shoes. Barefoot.

Then, she took to the saddle. A "Circle Y" to boot. So cool that her first ride was on leather made in Yoakum, Texas. Yeehaw, Ya'll!

Check out that posture! Such a little cowgirl. Such a cutie!