Some of out-of-town cousins got to make their first visit to the ranch recently. When I asked Emerie if she would like to go look at my horses, she replied “Yes! Can I ride them?!”
After getting mommy’s approval, we took off on the four-wheeler and she yelled to daddy “We’re going to go rope some wild horses!”
They aren’t quite wild, but I got a kick out of it anyway. When we caught the best horse, she stared up at him with big eyes, saying “Whoa, that’s a really big horse.”
I was a little worried it was too intimidating, but it wasn’t two seconds later that she eagerly added, “How do I climb up there?”
With a boost, she climbed right up just like a real cowgirl. She felt right at home on a horse. She looked like she had ridden horses all her life. I led her and the horse back to the house for a little trail ride, and we talked about all sorts of things. She asked me many good questions, that I’d never thought to think of.
One question really surprised and stumped me.
“I have a question,” she said. “Why do bees die after they sting you?”
“Hmm,” I replied, “I have no idea. That’s a good question. Maybe you should ask your teacher.”
“Okay,” she said, and we went happily on our way.
She even shared her Christmas wish with me, which is a diary with a unicorn on it, if you are wondering.
When we got back to the house, little brother had a ride around the yard too, and he loved it just as much.
Horses have brought me so much happiness, independence and confidence in my life. I hope every little girl gets to be a cowgirl sometime. I don’t know who I’d be without having learned the lessons and love, respect and trust, that my childhood hose taught me.
The feeling of holding the reins in your hand, wind in your hair, and the freedom to ride through an open field in the middle of nowhere..there’s nothing else like it. Buy her a horse Jacob.And not just a unicorn!