Sarah had her first riding lesson of the year today. I always love to look around the barn while there and looking at all of the things Mrs. Prince (instructor) has hung on the walls.. pictures (photos, old and new and pictures the kids have drawn) etc. Here is one that I wanted to take a picture of and it's full of good reminders for horse owners.(and to learn by like myself!) I admit to breaking rules, (for example #5, the paddock part.., and #10) but as a first time horse owner, I do try my best with what I know (poor Kit!!!) and we're learning as we go!! This is what it says as it's hard to read:
How to abuse your horse
1. Spend no time with him unless you are riding.
2. Don't try to understand his likes/dislikes
3. Don't always provide clean water to drink
4. Leave him shut in a stall all day (in winter when it's icy or too cold I am guilty!)
5. Don't clean his stall or paddock daily or give him soft bedding to lie in.
6. don't make sure he's always got salt
7. make sure he has companions
8. as soon as he misbehaves, get a whip or stronger bit.
9. leave a saddle mark on him after you ride so everyone will know he is not worth your time.
10. let him get too fat.
11. gallop and jump him when he is not fit.
12. never worm him, float his teeth or make sure he gets all of his spring shots.
13. don't bother to have the best farrier you can find trim (and study) his hooves on a regular schedule
14. don't care how his tack fits.
15. don't worry if your hay or grain looks or smells moldy
16. don't think of him as your best, bravest and most forgiving friend
17. don't love him, always, with all of your heart.
List created by Toni Prince for Prince and the Pauper in the 1970's
I love this and should copy and hang it up!! :)
sneaking around to take pictures.. :) 
My dog Sally and I went for a walk while Sarah was at her riding lesson. This is a covered bridge we cross to get to the stable. Pretty scenery! (if only the sun would come out!!!)
back to the barn! 
oh my... I uploaded the pictures backwards.. here they are taking off for the 1 mi! our family and a lot of friends took part in "the raptor run" this past weekend. (a fundraiser for our community school organization. Sarah and pals did the one mile fun run and the rest of us (Sarah included!) did a 5 mi run/walk around Lake Morey In Fairlee, VT. It was a great day!
A few of us mom's pose with the girls
Sarah and pals pose before the one mile fun run with our school mascot, the raptor!
Christian up to bat at one of his baseball games
Sarah showing her book genre project. She wrote it on "fantasy" at Expo (an annual get together for prek-12 at our school to show some of what kids did this year!)
Christian's bridge! 
Mother's Day at the Colatina Restaurant!
Sarah is riding the second horse "strider".. with the brown sweatshirt!
