He will want the kids to pet him...
This last Tuesday I loaded up Kelzon and took him to school for S's show and tell. The inspiration came to me from this post at I Gallop On Show and Tell
When it was approved by the teacher and administration I told the news to S. She was SO excited. As a true horse loving girl her school work has been about her horse. Essays, poems, short stories, drawings, all created with Kelzon as the central theme. Even her persuasive report was on "Why Own a Horse." When the yearbook came home two days ago, we looked to see what S wanted to be when she grows up: A Horse Trainer.
Kelzon is a half arabian bay gelding we bought from a friend of a friend when her son out grew him. We bought him at the ripe age of 24. The first fall, S got on him in a round pen and tried her best to ride him. He attempted a teeny tiny buck, but S couldn't feel it, so I didn't tell her in fear she would give up. It took a few rides for her to relax and give him his rein. By the following spring they were on their way. Despite the fact he had been running at the top of his class the year before he geared down to S and let her steer him all over the arena. Every other show she would go the wrong way around the barrels, or through the poles too many times. 
Towards the end of the first year she would ask "am I galloping?" "No honey, that's a lope" I'd reply, time and time again. The next spring (05) she was asking again "Am I galloping?" Still, no gallop. He could do it, but he must not have felt she was ready. Half way through the season last year she started to gallop him. She galloped him to grand champion in Barrels, Poles and Plug. 
This year she is galloping him again, but now she seems to sense his age and has slowed down a bit. She talks to him while she rides and only goes as fast as she feels he can do. Could they go faster? Of course. We could get an over and under out and "encourgage" him, but to what point? Arthritis, sores and a broken spirit? It's not in our hearts to do that.
This lovely, beautiful, horse who has given my daugher SO much continues to give. Tuesday he let her show off at school. She brought in her trophies and pictures and rode him around. She showed the different gaits, walk, trot, lope and gallop. Then he stood patiently, this grumpy old man who is notorious for stomping his feet while being brushed and let every child pet his neck. When they left to go back to school, S gave me the biggest hug I had ever experienced from her. Kelzon turned and watched them all go back up to school as if to say "So that's where she is during the day."
Friday, June 09, 2006
If you take a horse to school...
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8 comments:
Kelzon is perfect! What a great show and tell. You are one terrific mom, did you know that? I think that is so sweet taking him to school.
You have to be proud of your girls. How pretty and how talented! You are going to have to fight the boys off!
What good boy. Pat him and give him a carrot. Well done, boy!
Great Post! I got all choked up up. I love how her looked out for her first and now she's looking out for him.
That's a lovely story. I am just tickled pink that my blog post on taking a horse to school inspired you to do the same!
Kelzon is a handsome fellow. Can't believe he's in his mid twenties. I love the photo of your daughter galloping on him. You get the sense of horse and girl with a deep connection.
And, you know what? As my daughter's horse was looking around the schoolyard, meeting all of her schoolmates, I had the distinct feeling that she was thinking (just as you write Kelzon probably did), so this is where she spends all day!
Having horses is such a gift.
Beautifully written! And lovely. :) The girls, the horses, the tales you have to tell, Katie's header and layout. *sigh* Things are going so well around here.
Colleen? Where's your blog! Amanda, as soon as we get you settled in Merry Old England! (Imagine THAT cool layout, Katie!) Liz has one, and Beanie needs to get writing, and Katie and I are okay with ours, and Trudi and KathyK's are wonderful, (but needs a personalized header and layout, too...) will that be all of us then?
What a special creature -- how lucky your daughter and Kelzon are to have found each other. :)
That's so great. Quite an endeavor to take a horse to school for show and tell!
What a wonderful description of the bond between them - both in photos and words. And you are such a cool mom, taking him to school for show and tell!
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