Everyone, Meet Betty

Betty is Avielles training pony. Avielle started lessons this week at Zoar Ridge Stables (ZRS) and will go 2x/week until school ends. She will also have 1 week of horse/swimming camp at ZRS in July. One cool thing about the stables is that the owners take in rescue horses and rehabilitate them. Another is the kids and adults who take lessons often do a lot of volunteer time with the horses and the property not only for extra riding time, but because they see value in keeping a safe and caring environment for all. Betty is a superstar who is 20 years old. Shes a pony so shed probably live to be about 40, except that she has Cushings Disease. Shes okay, and in great condition, but her coat really requires extra work due to the disease. Avielle and her teacher, Annette, gave Betty a lovely brush massage to loosen and detach all of her shedding hair, and then they went for the riding lesson. Annette is wonderful at explaining why the habits that Avielle must learn around horses is important. Another aspect that I liked about the teaching that Annette does is that she sets the stage for dressage lessons later. Dressage is a formal riding style that takes years to learn, much like any other sport, and will lend itself to all types of riding later. Avielle is too young to take dressage lessons, but Annette has already started the habit forming ability if Avielle chooses to do so later. After the lesson, Avielle brushed Betty down and then Betty began to whinny for carrots, which Avielle fed to her. It was a great day and Avielle goes for her next lesson on Friday. When she finished todays lesson she chatted continuously about the lesson. A great sign!