Becoming Real Cowboys (and Cowgirls)

Wilsall has been very kind to us WWOOFers.  Mette got a very special gift this week - two horses to ride while she's here with us from Norway!  Laurie's farrier (horseshoe-er) Bruce brought two of his horses here for her to care for and ride.  Best of all - that means riding lessons for us!

Mette caretaking for Rascal and Jo

On Monday, Dave and Marc got their first lessons toward becoming real cowboys.  They helped brush and saddle up the pair of horses for a ride around the farm.

Dave was first in the saddle.  He said he was just a kid when he first rode and didn't enjoy the experience at all.  He stuck to the walking ring, practiced some figure-8's and looked like a natural on Jo.

Marc has a bit more experience so he and Mette rode together out of the ring into the pastures along the trail.

I hung out on top of the hay rolls taking photos - I'll get lessons one of these days.  Dave came up and played on the rolls, jumping from one to another.  I am, apparently, terrified of heights and could hardly budge.  The rolls are two stories tall!

We're really becoming Montanans, I'd say.