Leah is a horse girl, through and through. She has been somewhat obsessed with them for sometime, and it's not just cute plastic figurines she's into. From a very young age, she has been comfortable around the big animals, and sits like a natural in the saddle. As we drove towards Medford on our vacation, I told her that if she asked Grandpa he might take her to see the Clydesdale's that live up the road from their house.
Shortly after our arrival Grandpa made good on her request, only to discover that they had been sold and were no longer in their pasture. I was relating the sad tale to our good friend Penny, and she concocted a plan to have my kids visit her kids and see their horses.
Saturday morning we headed up to Josh and Kate's. Grandpa got in the cowboy spirit and pulled out a hat I didn't even know he still owned. Leah was in for a surprise - not only did they have a Belgian draft horse for her to see in place of the Clydesdale's (which were apparently also Belgians, my mistake) but Josh was prepared to give Leah a full horse experience. He introduced her to "Tucker", and let her (and her brothers) brush him, help saddle him, and talked her through the whole thing, describing each step and piece of equipment.
Once the gentle giant was ready to go Leah got the first ride, and it was an extra special one. Josh took her down into one of their lower fields, and sister got her first experience running on a horse. Josh trotted her around the field several times, and upon their return Josh declared her "fearless!".
After Leah, the boys each got a turn walking up and down the driveway.
Someone came home happy, and tired.
Thank you Josh, Kate and Penny for such a wonderful morning!
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