Baby Will sitting on Ladd.

This past Saturday my Uncle Glenn, Aunt Marisa, and their baby Will visited the ranch.  I love my family and I love horses.  So, it was so nice to be able to show Will the horses.  He went for his first horseback ride on my horse, Ladd.

First I rode Ladd down so that he would be calm for my six-month old cousin.  Then I sat in the saddle with Will so that he would not fall off the horse.  His mommy took a lot of pictures.  Will really liked the saddle horn.  He even tried to suck on it.

Then I dismounted.  My Uncle Glenn put Will in the saddle by himself.  Glenn stood next to Will and held him in place.  Now Will really sucked on the saddle horn because there was nobody in the saddle to pull him back.  I led Ladd around our round pen with Glenn walking alongside Will.  Then Glenn rode with Will.  Later Marisa rode with Will.  All in all, Will rode for a long time, especially for a six-month old.

Will is learning to move with the horse.

Babies can learn how to move with a horse as it walks.  My brother Isaac is two-years old.  He rides by himself in the saddle while I lead the horse.  Isaac does not need anyone next to him because he has learned to move with the horse and how to keep his balance in the saddle or bareback.  My youngest brother, Andrew, is eighteen-months old.  He also rides Ladd.  Andrew cannot ride as well or as long as Isaac, but he is on his way.  One day Will will also learn how to sit on a horse comfortably and naturally through practice.

Don’t be afraid to start teaching little ones to ride.  However, always use a very gentle and calm horse.  Always supervise the riding session.  Start small and progress in little steps.  It is important that your little cowboys are safe and have fun.

I am holding Will in my lap. I love Will and I love Ladd!