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!