An 18-wheeler on the Dickerson Funny Farm

We've been living out in the country for just over two years.  It has been an exciting time.  We've experienced a lot.  We've successfully bottle fed a calf named Miracle Whip (read here), unsuccessfully bottle fed a calf,

raised a litter of kittens, bottle fed kittens

had a flourishing garden, had this years garden, and too many other memories to list.  My kids have learned to jump hay bales, "build" a tree house, and roam the woods.

 Some time around last fall, Chad and I began talking about horses.  We have a dog who eats like a horse.  

However, the girls really wanted a horse.  Yes, I know that they really want everything they see on tv.  However, the truth here is that I really wanted a horse. Seriously, for every birthday and every Christmas for as long as I can remember I asked my parents and Santa for a horse.  Well, maybe not every year but atleast from ages 5-22.  About 22 I became totally financially independent from my parents and realized that horses eat...a lot!  After discussing the idea of a horse with a couple of our friends who have had horses for years, we began casually looking for a horse.  Our criteria was pretty specific.  We needed a gentle horse for inexperienced riders, a cheap horse for inexperienced investors, and a healthy horse for inexperienced caretakers.  As I found horses on FB groups, I would send them to the trusty Mr. Jackie.  He was always objective and reminded me of the type of horse that I needed for safe enjoyment by the girls.  Although I was disappointed a couple of times, I really did want the perfect horse for our situation.  In December a friend of ours contacted Chad about a horse.  The horse immediately received  two 'checks' as we went down the list of "needs".  She was healthy and she was cheap!  This particular horse had a story.  She was purchased for a girlfriend to be used as a barrel racing horse.  During the learning stages, the relationship dissolved.  The man kept and fed the horse for several years.  Lucky for us, he said if someone wanted to come and get her, they could have her.  Uncle Kent (according to BADkid) went and got the horse and kept her with his horses to determine if she would be adequate for our girls.  

Christmas morning, the girls were shocked to get a horse brush, feed bucket, halter, and a horse.

After several months of riding and evaluations with Kent, she arrived on the Dickerson Funny Farm on May 25.  Me. Kent brought Sparkles and a companion horse for the transition, Dodger. The girls rode Sparkels (in silk pajamas and rain boots) while they were led around the small pen several times.  

We left them in the small pen in an attempt to acclimate them to a new home.  May 25 is probably just a date to many of you, but for Henderson, Texas, May 25 was the date of the Memorial Day Tornado.  We had to leave our home in the wet, dark, wind that night and didn't return until the following afternoon.  Fortunately Sparkles and Dodger survived the weather.  However, they have now realized that life with the Dickerson Girls is similar to 3 F5 tornadoes!

Dodger is an older horse who behaves more like a dog. The firs have enjoyed loving on the old man while they learn to trust the younger, spunkier Sparkles. 

In early June, Mrs. Cheryl came out to teach me how to halter and handle the horse.  It was a learning experience.  I learned pretty quickly that you have to treat the horse like the kids.  Once she realizes who is the boss, she is as gentle and precious as can be.

 The girls began to brush and pet her and build trust.  We spent the entire month of June learning to care for the horse.  Last week, I decided it was time to put the saddle back on the horse.  I've never in my life put a saddle on a horse.  I've seen the process and I can teach Physics.  How hard can it be, right?  Well, lets just say the girls rode the horse with a saddle...after several stops to re-position and tighten the saddle.  We made progress!

Leading the girls around on the horse on the saddle is exciting for about 7 minutes.  Then it's like a four-wheeler or jet-ski.  Riding a four-wheeler and jet ski is fun when you are DRIVING.  So, I asked Mrs. Cheryl to come out and help us transition from leading a horse around a pen to having the girls independently ride the horse.  The learning stage was comical to say the least. Taylor, Miss Confidence, volunteered to go first. 

It helped that she rode horses many times at Pine Cove last week.  She did well walking and then got brave.  She wanted to go faster.  She did go faster.  She quickly informed us that Sparkles doesn't have a trot!  

Little sister peer pressure is tough. Kennedy is cautious--or scared of everything. Truthfully, she is smart enough to recognize the risk and evaluate the cost. She took her turn. 

Kennedy sat on the horse for a few minutes before she was willing to even walk.  Finally she did.  In typical Kennedy fashion, she was scared for about 5 minutes and quickly became very confident.  It was so exciting to watch her go from insecure to confident. 

BADkid...well, she's not afraid of anything.  She was perfectly willing to take the reins and ride independently.  

Obviously we didn't let her after the broken foot from falling off the roof that you can read about here.

I still only know about 3 days worth of a high school equine science class about this horse.  We are learning.  When Chad said, "Kent found us a horse, and I told him to get it," I remember telling him, "That's like bringing home an 18-wheeler when all you've ever driven is an automatic Volkswagen bug!"  The truth is that I was right!  It has been scary, intense, and rewarding. It has taken a village, but we are learning to drive the 18-wheeler and BADkid has perfected her cowgirl attire.