Horse Riding

We had told Natalie that she could do horseback riding lessons this past summer and that fell through.  I knew there was a church in the area that has pony riding lessons but when I contacted them they basically told me that it's only open for the kids who are in their preschool/daycare program and that they don't have space for outsiders.  I may try again in the spring but I don't think it will happen.  I have found a pony camp for next summer already but I don't know if they do lessons during the year or not.  That place is a little further.  I also found a place in Palatine but I don't know if I want to drive that far.  There are tons of stables around us but I think they all do horse riding lessons and not pony riding lessons and most horse riding lessons start at 7 years old and are really expensive.  I have to keep looking.

There is a woman in my multiples group who lives on a horse farm and has her own horse.  She agreed to give Natalie a lesson on her horse.  Natalie and I headed over after our pumpkin farm visit in the slight drizzle so Natalie could ride a horse.  Natalie LOVED it!  The horse was fairly docile but at moments wanted to go faster than a walk.  We went through the forest preserve that is right by this woman's house.  Natalie was very content riding a big horse.  I think it made me more nervous than her.  The woman said Natalie did a great job and sat up very straight the whole time.  Natalie hasn't asked for lessons again but I'm sure she will.  I'm trying to decide if I want to do lessons inside during the winter or wait until the spring.  We'll see.  Unfortunately stables don't have great websites so I need to call around to see what I can find for her.

 Natalie got to brush the horse a little and give it some food.

 Natalie's hair had a braid in it that day just like the horse!