A Gentle Introduction to Horses

Know someone, adult or child, who's never met or touched a horse before?  

Want to make sure they have a good experience when they do?

Bring them out to meet Abby, Sultanna, and Hokey. 

That was the case with Frank and Eva - neither one had ever been around a horse before.

And those horses were so gentle and very interested in getting to know them.

 

Frank and Eva's introduction to horses could not have gone better.

Even when Sultanna decided that she really, really, REALLY liked that pompom on Eva's hat.

 

and Hokey took an interest in the hood of her coat

giving her the giggles when his nose slid down her back.

It was a lovely experience and we spent a lot of time with the horses, handing out treats, and petting and brushing them.

I've seen it before when horses sense that someone is unsure and hesitant and then are extra gentle and careful with that person.

That played out right there in the pasture Friday morning. 

It was while Frank was taking some photos of Eva and me with the horses

 that I noticed that Sultanna seemed to want to connect with Eva.

She kept her attention on Eva

and remained at the gate, watching her walk back to the car as we got ready to leave.

I had Eva turn around and look back at Sultanna, explaining that I could tell that she had really liked having her visit and clearly would've enjoyed more time with her.

Today our family is going to be doing eclipse activities and then watch the Purdue/UConn game for the NCAA championship. We won't have time to go to the barn. Maybe we will get a chance on Tuesday before they head back to North Carolina.

I hope so, and not only for Frank and Eva's sake but for Sultanna's, too.