use. Another counselor had told him later he didn't need it and Rae had to make up a story as to why he was the only one who had a horse with a halter and she told him it was because we always pick one person on our ride to wear a halter on their horse in case it's needed an it was his time. ;-) Our trail ride is intimidating but I have always made it a safe experience. I had no plans to scare poor Henry so I was
doubly prepared to hook him to me for the ride. I led it out on a horse who would have no issue having another horse on his butt the whole time. No sooner than we get out the door, Flicka tries turning around and heading back to the barn. Henry-"She doesn't want to leave!". Me-"Henry, she's fine. Just turn her back towards me." Then I walk Clifford back and grab onto her halter and lead her a few steps forward to get her going back the right direction. Henry was so quiet during the ride and all I could usually here were sharp intakes of breaths every once in a while and him mumbling how nervous she was. I kept thinking that he was projecting his feelings onto her. ;-) But we make it to the hill to go down in Ghost Creek Valley and I hear him gasp. All along the ride so far I kept telling him to keep Flicka on Clifford's butt, pointing him to where I wanted him to keep her nose, and telling him it was going to be fine. I thought eventually I'd have to hook him up to me but I wanted him to do as much as he was able to. He makes it down the hill just fine, right on Clifford's butt, and she stops at the creek. Henry-"She's scared! She can't go across!" Me-"Henry. Henry! Pull back on your horse and turn her around." Flicka starts to go down a footpath into unknown territory and I start to yell at Henry (not in a mad but in a "get it done" voice), "Henry. HENRY! BE THE BOSS AND STEER YOUR HORSE!!!" Immediately I see his hands actually pull back on the reins. By this time I've crossed back across the creek and am on foot with Clifford in tow. I get him turned around and ask Clifford to back up the entire path (Good boy!) and I clip Henry to my long rope and then get Clifford somehow turned around to be facing the right way and jump on his back. We go across the creek and Henry starts talking up a storm! He told me that it was now like a "pony ride" and he didn't have to do anything. ;-) Oh Henry! I'm so proud of you! You made it halfway on the ride. He was
so relaxed and chatty afterwards and I had made a new friend for life. You were a drain in the question quota for the week but you were fun. I wondered if his parents were good to him or ignored his million questions and it turns out, he's got good parents. Yeah! Sometimes the parents of these kids don't seem to care. That's why they love camp so much because they matter to someone! It was a challenging, awesome, loving, caring, tiring week. A great halfway point for the summer. Friday's theme was superheros and Sara rode Quiggley as Batman. :-) Got the job done and had a lot of fun doing it. On to week 6!