Sorry, Dad! I think it is inevitable.
It must be in the genes.
I mean, she isn't the first in the family to have the fever.
Grandma has the bug...Mom has the bug...even Dad is starting to get the bug..
I guess that says it...She's got the bug too!
Makenzie is starting to show her love for horses more and more everyday. It is so fun to watch how comfortable she is around them. It is such a blessing to be able to introduce her to something that we love and for her to enjoy it as well. It is wonderful to be able to take her out to feed horses every evening. She loves it. I mean really loves it! It is the only time she willingly goes into the stroller.
After we get the horses in their stalls with grain and hay she can get out of the stroller to visit everybody. Kenzie loves Roz. She is drawn to her. Typically, Roz is kind of jumpy. She holds herself with a little bit of tension...once again showing her respect issue tendencies. But with Kenzie, she is a different horse. She is calm, her eye relaxes, and she takes relaxing breaths. Even with Kenzie trying to pet her face and accidentally hitting her in the eye or the muzzle with her coat, Roz is as stoic as an old pack mule. Roz even seeks out loves from Makenzie. It makes me wonder if there is hope to reaching her still...
Roz is by her favorite to ride. Maybe because she is short. Maybe because she is so round and easy to sit on. Like I said, this little girl is just drawn to this horse. And she is such a natural little rider. She sits down, grabs a little mane, and with her legs in perfect horsemanship position she rocks her body and clucks to try and get Roz to go. You just can't teach that!!! Every now and then, Roz will oblige and take a step forward. No scream, no screech, no crying just a big huge grin out of a little girl.
Over the last few weeks, we have gone to see other horses perform as well. Santa left us tickets for the National Western Invitational Freestyle Reining. Some of the contestants had elaborate costumes, people on the ground to assist them with their performance, different levels and colors of spotlights, and a wide variety of music. Kenzie had a blast clapping whenever people hooted and hollered at a sliding stop or a great set of spins.
Not only did she have a great time, but she wore her cowgirl attire. As always, our little cowgirl stole the show with her antics and adorable outfit. Little pink western shirt with lassos and horses, jeans, and to top it all of pink ostrich skin ropers.
We also went to the Big Thunder Draft Horse Show when it was in town. Hitches from all over the country come to compete before heading down to the Stock Show. We watched a variety of different hitch teams compete, pairs: unicorn hitch, 4 and 6 horse teams. We had a great time trying to pick out the team that we all thought showed the best teamwork, had the most eye appeal and would be the class winner.
After the show was over, we got to see the horses up close and personal. It was so neat to watch Kenzie's expression as we walked up to the first stall. First, she had a look of terror. Followed by a "holy cow, that is one big thing." Slowly her expression changed as she realized what it was, "Hey, that is just a BIG horse!" And all of a sudden she was trying to jump out of my arms to be closer to the horse. She didn't care when they sniffed her hand. She wasn't bothered when they nibbled at her coat thru the stall bars. Kenzie had a blast just being around the horses. We all laughed at their antics and how quickly you could pick up on each horse's personality.
We also got a chance to talk with the owners and exhibitors of the horses. We learned that each harness costs about $5000 and each wagon has roughly a $50,000 price tag! And I thought my show bridle and flashy saddle lead to an expensive hobby!
You know, all of my friends gives me a funny look when I say start keeping an eye out for a pony for Kenzie for next summer. They look at Kenzie and you can tell they think she is way to little for her own pony. I knew months ago that even though she will only be two and a half, that little girl is going to need her own pony next summer.
I mean, just take a look for yourself.
The little girl has got the fever....HORSE FEVER at it's finest!
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