Bragabout Friday - Horseback Riding

Taylor, that little show-off. She's continuing to make some great progress in her horseback riding program. Today, working with her physical therapists, she started doing some new riding tricks - riding backwards, riding sideways and even standing up while riding the horse. I was thrilled to see Taylor standing up on the horse's back as the horse took several steps throughout the arena. Taylor was steady and her feet and legs were well-planted and she demonstrated great balance while standing on the horse. I thought to myself, "Now that's impressive....a little 3 year old tot perfectly poised and positioned atop a horse as the horse walks about...special needs child or not, that's a hard skill to master."

While the various positions on horseback are targeting and activating a number of different muscles beneficial to Taylor's physical therapy needs, she doesn't know she's "working" hard. All she knows is that she's riding a horse and that there are a lot of people and onlookers in the riding arena cheering her on as she rides backwards, sideways and standing up and she absolutely loves every moment of it.

Taylor riding "Popcorn" backwards.

Taylor getting into position to ride "Popcorn" standing up.

Taylor's up and riding high.

While Taylor was enjoying her riding lessons today, Paige and I romped about the ranch exploring the great outdoors. Paige was also getting some one-on-one wooing from one of the ranch-hands...although quite a bit Paige's senior, he was sure showering Paige with lots of wildflowers. I laughed and thought to myself, "what a foreshadowing this is. I'm sure there will be lots of woo-ing and attempts at winning over Paige as she grows up in the years to come, beautiful little girl that she is!"

Paige receives a wildflower, especially picked for her by one of the ranchers.

Paige petting and feeding "Dance".

Paige enjoying the grounds of the ranch.

Paige...and, she carries a big stick.