A mirror to yourself

This horsekids day we took a step back. The kids have been riding solo for quite some time...this means they have all but abandoned their groundwork. That is okay, they must experience that happening to understand how important it is to maintain. 

Horses offer us an incredible view of ourselves. They take on our emotions, feelings and state of being and then reflect it back. They make no judgements and tell no lies...they know what we don't even realize about ourselves. 

The kids need to tap back into that. To be connected with their horse, to understand how the horse feels and how they themselves feel that day before climbing on board. 

First we talked about that together. Then they demonstrated proficiency with their gear. Next they retrieved their horses, groomed them and picked up all four feet. Now they would walk though the forest trails, stopping along the way, to complete obstacles and skills. This is no race. Slow, quiet and patient gets the best results. Communicating with your partner to accomplish this as a team.

Honing their riding skills on the "pretend horse".

 

 

Tying knots

 

 

Jumping over a beam

 

 

Stepping onto a platform...

 

success!

 

Backing into a box.

 

Satinka the show off!!

 

Peaceful partners

While the kids were grooming their horses one of the mom's commented on how quiet it was. YES! they were tuned into their partners and the success they had showed how well it was working.

The final story left an amazing impression, I hope, on one of the youngsters. Her task was to pick up all 4 feet. The girl was nervous. She moved to the hind end but stopped 3 feet away...as she bent and reached for a hoof, her horse moved away from her. He was reflecting her feelings back at her. I showed her how to do it. She positioned herself correctly and picked up his foot...she smiled and looked relieved. Her horse let out a big sigh and relaxed. He was again reflecting her feelings back. 

They are learning about their relationship with horses....whether they realize it now or not they are learning about relationships...period.

Life is Good 

See more photos here

No more Pack Pack

 We have always loved our hikes in the woods! Ever since Scout was a baby we would take the dogs to our favorite hiking spot Maple Swamp. Scout would ride in her "pack pack", which would give me a great workout. But today things have changed. I still carried the pack pack, but it was much lighter. She never got into it. She started off running, an impressive distance of probably 1/2 mile. Then she walked and walked and walked...until we arrived back at the truck 1 hour and 30 minutes later!

 All decked out in her "hiking skirt".

 

Stopping for a snack still continues, of course.

 

Listening to the crows and cardinals.

 

We returned home to find some horses enjoying the sunshine!

Dinosaurs

 

The topic in Science class this week was dinosaurs. The teachers were as amazing as ever. So respectful of the kids, lots of projects planned to keep their interest and they really spend a tremendous amount of time prepping for the class.  Again used scientific vocab throughout the class...extinct, carnivore, herbivore, excavate, adaptations, meteor,

 

 Scout chose to make herbivore feet.

Tools to search for dinosaur bones!

 

Always time to bust out a little yoga.

 

Chillin out with her newly excavated dinosaur baby.

 

Making camouflage with sponges and paint.

 

Super cool snack begins by pouring dino gummies into a cup

  then crush up some "dirt"

 

 Finally search for dinosaurs!!

YUM...Life is Good