Busy Wednesday!!!!

Wednesdays are busy at The Buckeye!

We started the day out with a visit from Cassandra Winner's Special Ed class from North Salinas High School - what a FUN group of kids!  We began the session discussing the rules (walking feet, quiet voices) and learning how to buckle a halter.  After a quick barn tour (small barn!) we practiced putting the halter on Duncan.  ALL of the kids were able to put the halter on and buckle it!  Some of these students had never seen a horse......very cool!  On to the next activity - grooming!

This is Rojan's FAVORITE activity!  This horse is truly a gentle giant - he loves his job!  He's such a good boy.  Once the grooming was completed it was on to Being a Leader:

Remember - this was the first time most of the kids had even SEEN a horse!  They all did a fantastic job. 

There are always individual success stories within these groups.  Yesterday was no exception.  One of the students was extremely fearful at the start of the session.  By the time we started the leading lesson, this young lady led Rojan THREE times around the course!  One young lady who, according to the teacher, is normally non-participatory was the first to groom and lead.  The horses do amazing things - I'm so fortunate to have such great team members!

Our afternoon vaulting session was incredible thanks to our newest coach.  Mackenzie comes to us from CSUMB and is a Silver level vaulter!  A dream come true!  The kids were so excited to have somebody besides ME coaching them.  We worked on the barrel and Mackenzie taught them some freestyle moves:

Natalie perfecting the Happy Star!  Isn't she precious?

Isabelle doing The Candle

Another Happy Star, William!













And that's it from The Buckeye Ranch!  God Bless!