Poor little Yarrow gets some attention

My daughter has a friend visiting from out of town for the week this week. She's a HUGE horse fanatic, just like I was at her age. And she loves the little Arab we have boarding here named Yarrow. His owners haven't been to see him for over a year, so I always feel sorry for him. He is often the first one up to visit me when I go out to the pasture and always seems to be saying "Pick me! Pick me!" but because I have FOUR other horses to work with, I just can't find the time to do anything with him. The fact that he's not mine factors in as well. I know his owners are trying to sell him, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to get on his back a couple times just to remind him what it's like. Last time he was ridden was the last time I rode him last summer.

So I thought today would be a good time to get back on him and give Emily a chance to ride him as well. I got on him first (obviously... it's been more than a year since anyone did anything with him!). I started with some Parelli games before saddling him, but he was way more interesed in grazing the lawn! Saddling wasn't an issue, but he couldn't stand still for the girth. Took a while to settle him enough to get the girth done up. After that we only tightened it a notch at a time until it was tight enough. Then I just mounted and dismounted a few times and he was completely unconcerned. He did great! I let him wander wherever he wanted and only guided him when he'd stop in the corner by the gate. He tossed his head a couple times (well, he IS an Arab!), but other than that, he was completely A-OK.

So I rode him down the alleyway to the round pen to give my daughter's friend a try on him. She only stayed on for a few minutes before she thought she had enough, so then each of my kids asked for a turn. Callum started in the round pen, but quickly wanted to move to the bigger paddock and then Pearce and Holly each took their turn in the paddock. Holly had more difficulty steering him. But she did manage to do a couple of turns on him. Considering how little he's been ridden, I was impressed! What a great little pony.