Visiting The Ranch

Monday we were invited to visit an acquaintance of ours at their ranch. It was a absolutely wonderful day and dream come true for my children. Upon arrival we found the ranch house to be beautiful. I felt like I was in the middle of a South Dakota puzzle. It was a perfect yellow house surrounded by golden fields! I really wish I had taken a picture of how beautiful it was.  The man of the house used to teach camps over the summer to teach children how to ride horses. He had invited us so our children could learn to ride.

First he took the kids to the horse pasture.

Then he asked Sabrina to come with him and help him lead the horses to the barn where he would saddle them.

I think Clara was  a bit disappointed that she didn't get to help but it was a big job pulling the horse in from the field and it was ever so hot and humid. Sabrina was so red after walking in the heat.

 Clara fell in love with the pinto named Breeze and Sabrina loved Spooner (pictured above).

 Greg, Jacob and I got to ride RED. He was a character. He would nibble on Jacob's hair when Jacob would be in reach of his mouth. He also nibbled on my shirt a few times. He had a mind of his own but I sure did like him!

Our horse trainer was great.  He taught the girls the proper way to start, stop and guide the horse and of course how to sit properly.

After the initial riding lessons Greg, Jacob, Clara & Sabrina all got to ride their horses around the prairie. All  I think they were gone for a little over an hour. They all just loved it. I couldn't believe that my girls were able to ride all by themselves.

As you can see Greg had his hands full with Red. He was always trying to eat or go home!
Katherine couldn't handle the heat and turned as red as a cherry so she had to spend most of the day inside. Sweet thing. She was happy as could be. No pictures of her on this trip but I will post some soon!

After everyone came back from their ride I got my own little private lesson and got to trot the horse around for awhile. I have decided that horse riding is probably one of the funnest things to do in the world! It is relaxing and fun. It makes me appretiate nature and all the God has given us. It makes me LOVE South Dakota. 

I am allergic to  horses so I kept my ride short and sweet and felt very happy when I left with only a few hives on my body.

It was a perfect day on the prairie! I just am so grateful my kids had the opportunity to learn to ride a horse from such a magnificent man. It was just so delightful. Learning of the life of this couple made me feel like I was witnessing a perfect hallmark movie. City girl meets cowboy. It was a day to remember!