license to ride

esther margaret has sat on a horse's back many times, but yesterday was her first time riding by herself. she is not galloping through the plains just yet, but i love the courage and growing affection she has towards horses and animals in general. we have three horses but she can always pick out mouse, he is the calmest and gentlest among them. jeremy has been so consistent and patient with her, her confidence and excitement atop a huge animal is a testament to that. jeremy bought the saddle she is riding on before she was even born. i have a saddle too, which i have used twice. my two year old is infinitely more confident riding a horse than i am.

this was the first time she sat on mouse, at 17 months