PEAR TREE LOG

pear tree log: I started this blog to keep my younger son, Jonny, in touch with life in Lincolnshire, while he spent a year working in China. That year turned into five! Now he is home and training to become a physics teacher. This is simply a patchwork quilt of some of the things I enjoy - life in rural Lincolnshire, our animals, friends, architecture, books, the gardens, and things of passing interest.



Thursday, 26 July 2012

The First Time Ever I Saw a Horse...

We had a typically trying Thursday morning, the details don't really matter...so this afternoon, when we had the opportunity to take 6 month old Francesca to visit Arnold for her first ever sighting of a horse, we leapt at the chance.  

I expected it to be something special, she adores the cats and Toby.






Neither Arnold, nor Francesca disappointed.



Francesca couldn't take her eyes off him, she studied him closely for a few minutes, then she wanted him.








Arnold reciprocated.  He wanted to smell her toes;  he playfully nibbled George's arms and performed a full repertoire of tricks to keep her attention.

It worked.

Another girl who LOVES horses!

We also introduced her to the 'horseless carriage' except this one does have a horses head ornament.  She loved that too...

This girl could cost you serious money, Daddy...
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30 comments:

  1. Knatolee26 July 2012 at 17:14

    What lovely photos! I have a pic of my Mum taking me to see my first horse, too. I was a baby in a sunbonnet then. :)

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:22

      Hello Knatolee, I'll bet you were a beautiful baby!

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  2. Jane and Chris26 July 2012 at 18:34

    Girls and horses..a perfect partnership!
    Jane x

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:23

      Hello Jane, The horsey thing bypassed all my children - I have great hopes for Francesca.x

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  3. Joanne Noragon26 July 2012 at 18:41

    "I love you, too," is written all over Arnold's face. Lucky rascal, to have the little admirer.

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:25

      Hello Joanne, If you could have seen Arnold and his antics, he really loves children...Harry likes him, but that is all. I have great hopes that Francesca will become 'mad about horses', as I was.

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  4. Elna26 July 2012 at 19:30

    Lovely pictures with the child and the horse.

    Hugs
    Elna

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:26

      Hello Elna, My little granddaughter really enjoyed seeing him! It was a delight to see them.x

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  5. Green Dragonette26 July 2012 at 20:37

    Hi Elaine,

    Just priceless photos-wonderful!!

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:27

      Hello Green Dragonette, It was one of those moments which I felt I had to record - and I'm so pleased that I did. She really took to him.

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  6. Ms Sparrow26 July 2012 at 22:08

    What a charming, priceless moment! Years from now, you can share the photos with her again.

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:28

      Hello Ms Sparrow, It was a magic moment, Arnold was as desperate to snuffle Francesca as she was to 'get the horse'. You are right, she will enjoy seeing photos of the occasion.

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  7. Bonnie26 July 2012 at 22:11

    How delightful! Horses are wonderful animals. I grew up having horses. I just think they can read what is written in you soul. It is those eyes.

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:30

      Hello Bonnie, I know what you mean - we are so fortunate that Arnold is old and gentle...and he only lives next-door-but-one away from us! Francesca really enjoyed the whole thing, we'll make sure we reinforce the positive experience... frequently!

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  8. Anonymous26 July 2012 at 23:16

    She will treasure that moment! (And a first ride photo too.) Don't remember first sight, but I do remember my first ride (no pictures)-- a giggle fest on a German warmblood on a longe line somewhere in Germany.

    janetg

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:36

      Hello Janet, Wonderful memories - and the start of your life-long love affair with horses...How is Sir doing? Francesca showed a really strong positive reaction to Arnold, so I have great hopes that my passion for horses may have been passed to her...fingers crossed.

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  9. Linda Tunnell27 July 2012 at 00:57

    oh my goodness she's adorable...and that car! I'm in love with it, where in the world did you get it?

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:39

      Hello Linda, She really is a sweetie - very happy and contented, with a ready smile. I bought the car a couple of years ago, from ebay. It had been made by a doting grandpa - then it was outgrown, fell out of favour, went into storage and ...I bought it for Harry. We haven't told Harry that it has a large battery and can be driven at up to 5mph, I reckon just 4 years old is a little young for that speed!!

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  10. Jenny27 July 2012 at 02:30

    My grandson, who lives about 5 hours away, doesn't get to come to our house very often, but he always remembers my horse who he gives carrots to when he is able to visit. When my grandson talks to me on the phone (he is 3yrs. old), he will often ask me how my horse is and if I have remembered to give him some carrots. I hope little Francesca is able to have a wonderful pony someday.

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:45

      Hello Jenny, Isn't it wonderful to be able to turn such simple things into something exciting for children? Just throw in a little fun and things become magic and memorable. I can imagine your grandson's excitement when he does come to visit, and gets to feed your horse.

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  11. Cro Magnon27 July 2012 at 05:45

    I'm with Linda; that car is fantastic... I want one for my boys. (OK, horses are nice too)

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:46

      Hello Cro, It is a lovely old car, somewhere or other I have the designs... Cars are fun, but horses are wonderful.

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  12. Meggie27 July 2012 at 08:35

    Dearest Elaine....How wonderful to introduce Francesca to horses so early in her life...especially, with Arnold. In years to come, the photos will be cherished by you and your sweet granddaughter.

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    1. Elaine27 July 2012 at 17:49

      Hello Meggie, I just couldn't resist any longer! Now that she has seen him once, and enjoyed the experience, I shall take her along at every opportunity. Somehow I don't think Arnold will mind! He is always playful and polite, but when he sees children he shrugs off his years and has fun.

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  13. Moving with Mitchell27 July 2012 at 18:08

    That girl could cost us ALL serious money. One look at that face and anyone would want to do whatever she asked. What heart-warming photos.

    By the way, my mother always said I was really cute. Can I have one of those cars, too?

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    1. Elaine4 August 2012 at 10:45

      Hello Mitch, If I had a spare car it would be yours!

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  14. Maggie27 July 2012 at 23:04

    Helloe Elaine, Well, what can I say? What a lovely post! Such a wonderful meeting for Francesca and Arnold. Maggie xx

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    1. Elaine4 August 2012 at 10:46

      Hello Maggie, I always hoped that one of my three would like horses, but it seems to have by-passed them completely, luckily the signs are there that Francesca is keen. Arnold is certainly doing his best.

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  15. A Colorful World29 July 2012 at 04:07

    So very, very sweet! The darling baby looks like she could just meld into the horse and become one with it! She knows something incredible when she sees it!

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    1. Elaine4 August 2012 at 10:48

      Hello Marie, She was very focused on Arnold and once her surprise at his sheer size had faded, she just wanted to embrace him. It helps that Arnold is such a good and friendly horse, it was a beautiful first meeting.

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