The barn

We took Little E to the barn. Not just any old barn....but, the one I spent many hours and years as a young girl in....with my horse. Sharon (my horse trainer back in the day) kindly invited us to come visit....play outside and just have fun with horses. Sign me up.

This pic above .... I love it. Sharon gave our kid the cutest pink pony. Seems as if it may be her new favorite toy. I can smell the aroma of horse hair in our future. Pretty sure Shorty knows....our kid needs a horse.
She listened to everything Sharon said. Intently. Just like she does with me at home. Yep.
This is the horse we rode. Perry. He is 27 years old. I used to ride him when I was 13. He is Sharon's husband's old roping horse....what a great and gentle animal.

Teaching E how to brush a horse....you know....WITH the grain....not against.
Sharon has a degree from Texas A & M in Equine Science. Yes, I wish I were her sometimes.

She IS someone I feel 110% comfortable riding with my 25 pound child. Sharon is all things horse...she took the time to explain all the little details about horses....how you feed them....how to hang their halter...she even gave Little E an old horse tooth. Mmmmm...is that what I hear banging in my washer? Dang it...I put that sucker in my pocket! Hey, easier to clean up than Kleenex. (Don't you hate when that happens?)
Here is E...all tiny 25 pounds. Holding on to the saddle horn and the reins. What a little rider.
Important to teach kids to get the horse ready yourself, ride it yourself, clean it yourself, and just do everything by yourself. Self sufficient lesson for the day.
Wash, rinse, scrape, fly spray.....all clean.
Taking Perry back to the stall...showed E exactly how to do it. Took her in the stall....showed her the ropes...and she totally got it.
After the horse session was over...we headed to the other part of the barn. To visit the other livestock....E is "helping" Sharon herd the sheep back to their pin for dinner. If I were a sheep...rest assured no one would have to chase me to get me to eat my dinner.
Petting the sheep. Note the green bag. The pink pony is in here. Pink pony = love.
"Tell me a story about a cow." Every night. I have to tell her a story....yes, about a cow. So, this close encounter is a dream come true, people.

Meeting up close.

I can't say thank you enough to Sharon. What a cool afternoon. (Not really "cool" cause it was DANG hot) but so much fun.

Sharon invited us to come back anytime to help take care of Perry. Think we will. It is plain old therapy for me and Little E has the time of her life.

How fun.

Can't wait to do it again!