#11 Lee’s Riding Stables

When we moved to Litchfield three years ago, we convinced Jocelyn to go for a pony ride at Lee’s Riding Stables, here in Litchfield. The quick 20 minute ride  was on Capucinno, a very mild mannered pony and  while Jocelyn enjoyed it, she was nervous around horses. Since then,  we would visit once or twice a year for a quick ride, but Jocelyn hesitated when asked if she wanted to take a riding lesson. 

Recently, we asked Jocelyn if she wanted a lesson, and surprisingly she said yes. So we signed her up with the instructor, Heather, who is the owner Lee’s daughter. When it came time for the lesson, which horse did Heather bring out for Jocelyn to ride, none other than Capuccino! At first Jocelyn was nervous, but Heather was great at getting Jocelyn comfortable and taught her how to sit in the saddle, hold the reins, steer the pony, etc. When  the lesson was over Jocelyn said she was ready for another, so yesterday was lesson #2, and before you knew it, Jocelyn was leading Capucinno by herself and even had a brief trot. Afterwards, we walked around visiting the nearly 60 horses, including two foals that were born in March. It was remarkable how Jocelyn went from being very nervous at the beginning of the first lesson, to being very comfortable and sitting up nice and straight in the saddle. She is also getting much more comfortable in petting the horses - some are pretty big. Next year  we hope to go on a  family trail ride through the woods. 

So if you are looking for riding lessons or taking a trail ride, head on over to Lee’s Riding Stables. 

Interesting note: horses cannot vomit and this  is why stables are very careful about what the horses eat. If the horse gets severe colic and stomach bloating, it can cause the stomach to rupture, so to prevent this, a stomach tube has to be inserted down the horse’s throat to relieve the pressure. 

Yesterday 

4 month old foal with mother 

2022