Sunday Stills - Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!  This is for "Sunday Stills", obviously the theme is July 4th, America's Independance Day.  Next week's theme is the Letter F.  Anything we can think ...

Our New Pony?

This is Caviar and called "Cavy" for short.  She has a sweet nature and is about 12'3"... maybe bigger.  She hasn't been ridden for two years, but used to show, I believe.  My girls have sat on her bareback and are having fun brushing her and doing some groundwork with her.  We plan on taking a few lessons with James Cooler of "Cooler Horsemanship".  (Click if you love horses! - you won't be disappointed)

We will decide in a few weeks if all goes well - and I really have a wonderful feeling that everything will.  We will board her here at the farm she is currently at as it is close by our home and it has trails, beautiful pastures and is under wonderful management.  Obviously, we will have a veterinarian visit her as well.

How do you decide to purchase a horse?  Do you ask for a trial period or do you buy on the spot?

A Pony of Their Own?

We currently are leasing this sweet pony but are looking at a pony or two next week as we are considering buying one.  I love the idea of the bonding that can occur with a pony because of its size.  I know children grow so fast, but I have two younger ones who might be interested and I really do think it will make them better riders in the long run.  

How many of you like the idea of ponies for children... or, if you have children, did they start out riding on a horse right away?

Bareback Beginnings - Is it a Good Thing?

Icy is a sweet girl, a 7 year old pony with a bit of barn sourness in her.  She is quickly overcoming that with almost daily handling and a plucky girl who is just about as stubborn as a pony!

I began my horseback riding experience as a young girl riding bareback.  My mom felt it was the best way to learn to have excellent balance and coordination while riding a horse.  I'm not worried about injury as my girls wear a helmet (something I never did) and they really don't have far to fall.  My girls are not pulling on her mouth to overcompensate as initially they did take riding lessons with a saddle and they learned the reining then.   I remind them to keep their heels lower than their toes - this is something I do even when they are in a saddle.

I was reading that bareback riding is not easier on a horses back and they prefer a saddle.  Hmm.  I usually always rode my horse bareback as a girl (I was light weight) and I think he preferred that during the hot summer months.

My plan is to alternate between the saddle and bareback.  Does anyone have any thoughts on the subject?