So far this summer, Sean has been learning how to get onto a horse again. The barrels have been useful as "pretend" horses, but Sean is not very keen to sit down on a barrel and then get off of it again. It probably doesn't make any sense to him, and I understand why. The barrel is not a horse. I know why he is sitting and getting off of a barrel, but Sean doesn't! So I think the next part of this adventure is going to have to involve a horse! Imagine that!!

I would like to try to get Sean mounted on our Paso Fino. She is certainly strong enough to carry him alone, and with some help to get him sitting on her, I can lead him along for a bit. We'll see... Mick is not too keen to do this with me, because it involves sort of lifting Sean up in an awkward position, but I think with some friends helping me, I can do this and Sean would like it too. Stay tuned!!

Some time in the future, we'll find a horse big enough to carry Sean and me together but until then, we'll have to go the solo route, with Sean on our Paso, Rosa. In the meantime, Sean will continue to enjoy th sunshine while sitting out on his mini trampoline giving carrots away. Such a life! The horses just hate it too!
Nancy

Here's a recent photo of Sean handing a goodie to our Paso Fino mare, "Chuparosa". We call her Rosa but her full name means "hummingbird" in Spanish. It was a very appropriate name for her too, because she used to back up really fast if she was scared! Rosa used to be very flighty, and run from people. Now, with our continued efforts, she has turned into quite a snuggle bunny!

The Paso Fino breed may not be the first choice for people who have disabled kids or a disabled adult child. But she is my riding horse and she has learned that Sean, despite being big, is a gentle soul. She has warmed right up to him.

The weather is supposed to get cooler, so I'm going to get back to helping Sean learn how to get onto a horse, using the barrels, a saddle, and anything else that might help him! Then I want to get him on Rosa and lead him around a bit to get used to riding again.

OTHER HORSE NEWS: We are on the lookout for a Suffolk Punch mare. Suffolks are draft horses but they are not as tall as most draft breeds. They're big enough to take Sean and me double and we'd also be able to use her as a 2nd trail horse for visitors. Why a Suffolk Punch when there are smaller draft breeds? Because Mick has a soft spot for this breed. It originated in England, as did he! It is also a rare breed. All Suffolks are red colored too, which is sort of neat. There are lots of different shades of course, but they all have a distinctive look. Some day I hope to post a picture of our very own Suffolk Punch mare!
nancy