Friday, December 16, 2011

Making Someone Smile = Priceless

I wasn't able to get pictures this evening, but I made a young man's day, maybe even month.

My hay guy has a mentally challenged son who comes with him when he delivers hay. Last month he watched the horses from a distance but when I asked if he'd like to ride one he said "maybe some time".

Today he told his dad "Ask her!" Hay guy says "He wants to know if you're going to ride your horse". I said "I can but I need to do it now before it's dark and can't help stack." He said that's cool go get the horse ready.

So I asked the boy "Which horse the big one or the little one?" Of he course he said the big one.

He held Rosie's lead while I saddled, He held Rosie's reins while I put my helmet and gloves on. He watched me for about 5 minutes then asked me if he could try =)

By this time his dad was inside the arena with us and I asked him and he said it was fine.

Handed the boy my helmet and helped him up. His smile was immediate and ear to ear beaming.

Showed him how to do a one rein stop and to turn her while I led her around on lead line. He asked if he could "go faster" so I asked dad who said it was ok. So I asked Rosie to trot in hand, but she would only go a few steps and quit. The boy was loosing his balance and she was doing her job.

When he dismounted he was shivering cold - but grinning huge and asking when he can do it again.

I love my mare!

16 comments:

  1. So sweet! That was a great thing to do.

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  2. Awsome! I worked with disabled adultf for years and took some to a theraputic riding centre! Amazing stuff happens there!

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  3. Awwe. =) Glad you and he had such a good time, and such a safe mare to take care of things. Go Rosie!!

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  4. What a sweet story! I am sure he'll be asking to do it again, and likely hasn't stopped talking about it.

    Maybe something to keep in mind in Rosie's future? Simple acts of kindness, reap mounds of rewards - I love it!

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  5. Way to go Rosie. She knew what was right....

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  6. Awwww! That just gave me the warm fuzzies. I used to be a nanny for a friend with a son with downs syndrome. I loved him like he was my own. That boy is now 18 yrs old. Time flies.
    Tomorrow I get to help out with a Downs Syndrome Hearts for Horses Ride and I'm so excited to be around all the kids again...especially with all the patient, kind horses taking care of them as they ride!

    Yay for Rosie!
    ~Lisa

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  7. What a sweet story! Rosie's such a good girl too :)

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  8. That is a lovely story! I'm glad Rosie was being so careful with him!

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  9. What a great post!! So kind of you to make that boys day and Rosie, good girl! Horses know when they need to be extra careful for special people.
    :-)

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  10. Mother hijacked my(!) email and sent you a note. =)

    Boyfriend

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  11. what a cool story! it is amazing how horses seem to know when someone has those sorts of issues. they always seem to be extra gentle with people with special needs.

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  12. I love this story. Horses give such amazing gifts. I'm so glad you were able to do this. What a good person you are.

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  13. Hi Jeni and id like to wish you and your family a merry Christmas, and to thank you for being a reader on my blog Amish Stories. Richard

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  14. Just wanted to say....Merry Christmas from Lisa and the entire herd at the Laughing Orca Ranch!!

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Happy Trails!

~Jeni