Cash - "Auntie, in...morrow we go ride ponies? We gonna be cowboys? And say Yehaw!"
Me - "Yes, that's right. We will go tomorrow. And you will get to see and pet lots of animals, see Santa, and make a Christmas card craft."
Cash - "See Santa? He bringing me lots of toys?"
Me - "Yes." I have trouble with the Santa thing, but I will go with it.
Cash - "And be cowboys riding ponies?"
Me - "Yes."
Cash - "Yehaw!"
The next morning we have a very similar conversation and the boys discuss horses and cowboys the entire 20 minute drive there. Needless to say, we hit the pony rides first. But, there was a bit of false advertising. There are no ponies.
There are beautiful, large horses, including a clydesdale.
Legend and Cash happily get their helmets, and wait excitedly with their hands on the fence, watching the horses do their laps with other kids on their backs.
Finally the moment arrives when it is Cash and Legend's turn to have a ride. I walk Cash over to the gate and the volunteers bring a beautiful, old, golden clydesdale to a stop in front of him. Cash takes a half step back and grabs my leg.
The volunteer - "Okay big guy, do you want to ride this horse?"
Cash vigorously shakes his head no, and lets out a strangled squeak of fear.
The volunteer has her friend bring a horse about half the size around - "How about this one?"
Cash nods slowly, unsure - "Okay."
We take him to the steps and get him up on the horse. He smiles for a moment, then the horse sighs and shifts its weight.
Cash puts his arms out to me, fear in his eyes.
Me - "It's okay Cash. I will be besides you the whole time. I promise."
Cash - "No. Off. Off."
Volunteer - "You can do it buddy. Give the horse a nice pet, feel his soft fur."
Me - "Cash, you are a cowboy! Awesome! You can be a great cowboy! Ok?"
Cash - "Okay."
After a few moments of riding, Cash begins to smile.
He tells the volunteer, "I'm not afraid of the horses."
Meanwhile, Legend is atop the clydesdale and loving every moment.
"Yehaw!"
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