Horseback Riding Lessons

Marlee's main passion is HORSES!  Everything with her revolves around horses!  She loves her horse Pete, plays with all of her horse toys constantly, turns everything imaginative into something that deals with horses, etc...  
Well, we have tried gymnastics, soccer, cheer, etc... and she liked all those things okay but never as  much as riding her horse and being around horses!  So, we decided that since it was pretty clear that riding horses is her passion that we really wanted to get her in to riding lessons so that she could learn the proper techniques of riding, etc...  so far with Pete, we have taught her what we think is the right way and have led Pete around while she rides him or ridden on him with her when trotting, galloping, etc... But she really has been wanting to do it by herself when riding Pete.  So, horseback riding lessons were what was needed for our girl!  She has been so excited for her lessons!  She is taking lesson from Ms. Karen and rides her horse, Sulley for the lessons!  I took her to the lesson today while Daddy stayed at home and played with Karsyn so I was able to really listen in on the lesson and take lots of pictures.  Marlee did very good and Ms. Karen and I both were so proud of how well she is doing.  She was sad after her hour and 15 min lesson because she wanted to keep riding!  She works with her a few minutes at the beginning on brushing and cleaning the hooves and then Marlee leads the horse to the arena area and they begin riding.  She taught her today how to ride using her legs and had her put both her hands out beside her to not use her hands on the horn of the saddle.  Marlee did great and had great balance doing this.  She then worked with her on using the reins all by herself which is what Marlee has been begging to do.  She was so excited and did great using her feet to tell Sulley to go and walking her around the barrels and cones and over the poles all by herself.  After an hour of riding, Marlee was so sweaty and so was the horse so Ms. Karen had Marlee wash him down before they put her in the stall.  She then got to help Brooke and Caylie brush the pony Mare Mare before we left.  Ms. Karen was very pleased with Marlee's progress and Thursday's lessons can't come fast enough for Marlee each week!  I'm so happy to have found her passion and that she can learn all of this and then apply it on her horse Pete anytime she wants!  :)  

using her legs to ride not her hands :)