Safety is very important, so Ms. Doria reminds them to check their girth belts for tightness. The children all wear helmets and remember the three T's - "Teeth, Toes, and Tushie". Basically don't stick your fingers near their mouths, watch your toes, and avoid the horse's back side where they might kick if startled.
Isabella and Anton's Momma's blood kicked in fast as they both started to sail through the lessons. At first, Isabella boasted to her Daddy about having Scooter, the 16-17 hands high horse as her mount while Anton got Spirit, a larger pony. Anton was paired with a little girl in order to handle the pony more independently. Spirit also has some handling issues, not wanting to listen to the less dominant riders. But now, both kiddos are on Scooter.
When Anton got his new mount, even though he had to share with Isabella, he just beamed from ear to ear. I am also glad to see this barn starts with English Saddle so as to not pick up lazy habits from Western Saddles. They have begun three point trot and next week the whole class might get their own mounts, instead of being in pairs. If the weather is nice, they might venture out of the arena and onto the trails.
