My Grandaughter and her new pony

[missy]

Just thought I'd share with yall... This is my Grandaughter and her new pony... she's one happy child ;D

[jacksonvillekid]

I'll bet she is! What a cute little girl, thanks for posting it here, Missy.

[Mrs Hooty]

Aww that must be lil Missy. She is adorable. I used to ride english style. My mother took me when I was a youngin. (about 8) I was so little. She took me about 9:00 on sat am. She walked me around on the horse. The horse's name was Gaylord. One day we went and they told us sorry we took Gaylord to the glue factory. They said that he taught many people how to ride.

My parents got me lessons then and I had these equestian pants, a helmet, a whip and these retarded looking "short boots" because my feet were so small. I didn't have the the real nice high boots That was a real short lived career as I lost interest. My neice rode horses untill she found out about the cleaning out stall part.

I can see you and your family have horses in your blood

[missy]

We sure do Laurie... it's a disease

I RIDE

That seems like such a simple statement. However as many women
Who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power
And empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered
Out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill
Water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay
Delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway,
Or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a
Cold beer after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication.
At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the
Sickness''s. It's a sickness I've had since I was a small girl
Bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real
Horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the
Sickness''s. It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do
And, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.

I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some
Trailhead somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I
Breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and
Savor the movement of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile rides my
Sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ball cap down and let the real world
Fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the dust.

Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My
Gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat
And it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and
The movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the
Leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.

I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I
Ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend
Through the manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my
Chest. Other days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a
Real accomplishment. Still I ride, no matter how tired or how much my
Seat bones or any of the numerous horse related injuries hurt. I ride.
And I feel better for doing so.

The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to
Find lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold
Beside rivers full and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The
Granite Stairway at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on
The prowl add to the empowerment and joy in my heart.

I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how
Competent they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch. We haul 40ft
Rigs, we back into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp.
Tend the horses. We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our
Companions, the horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on
The trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel,
Fill, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel with
Out makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the 'sickness' and
Probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a model horse while
You dreamed of riding a real one.

[janet]

Beautiful Missy.Your Granddaughter looks so happy.Know grandma is proud of her.

[Mrs Hooty]

Wow Missy! That sounds like a short storey made into a poem

[Susan]

aww how adorable missy. Good pics thanks for sharing

[hooty]

and it looks just like you. The little girl is dorable too, how long has she been riding. I could tell after your story that it is TOTAL DEVOTION on your part. Thanks for sharing your PASSION in life with us. Who knows maybe some day we will see you at a DSJ git together come trotting in on one of your prized possesions

[missy]

Thanks Hooty! I've had her in the saddle nearly since birth. My grandson, not so much into it lol.. must be a gurl thang.

wait... IT look's just like me?


Here ya go Hooty..My Grandaughter is 5 now, here she is at 3 on a friend's babysitter mare

s51.photobucket.com/albums/f374/qtrhrsecrazy/?action=view¤t=MVC-018V.flv

You're right.. it is total devotion. It is my passion, as well as many other women. It's alot of work, joy, worry, fun, expense, and love. I wouldn't trade any of it for anything else ;D

[hooty]

That little bugger was having a heck of a fun time riding that wild stallion. She was chattin up a storm happy as a lark riding him, and BRAVE also I may add. Thanks again for sharing and just a little note or food for thought. Hooty don't ride horses, if it ain't got a steering wheel and a brake I don't drive em

[missy]

Horse's have steerin wheel's and brakes... most of the time lol

[Mrs Hooty]

This is me at age 6
See what I mean funny looking outfit

[missy]

Oh Laurie how cute!!! And on such a big horse too!!

Your clothes look fine... you should see the spandex stuff english riders wear nowdays .. now that's funny!

If I can work up the nerve to post it, I've got a pic of me riding in funny clothes when I was 10 or 11

[Mrs Hooty]

Ahh Do it Missy. Ya know what. I never throw out pictures (or anything for that matter) That would be throwing away memories. God knows that we love our memories don't we ;D

[angels4bobseger]

How precious. What a cute little girl. I bet she loves that new pony. I grew up with a pony and also a horse. Pony was named Princess and the horse a palamino was named Candy.
I used to have photos of both but not anymore. I think my brother has those in Florida. ;D