Horsing around on Naushon Island!

This fall we went on a field trip to the easternmost island of the Elizabeth Island chain, Naushon Island.   Most of the Elizabeth Islands are privately owned by the Forbes family except for our Cuttyhunk Island and Penikese Island.  We were invited to Naushon to stay there overnight and met another Gosnold student, 5-year-old Spike.  We learned how to groom and ride a horse!   This was our first time ever riding a horse and we were pretty excited!

Here we are outside the Naushon stables with our new friend Spike who is 5 years old.

Then we met Spike's Dad Clay who runs the stables.  He taught us how to groom the horses and be safe inside the stable.  You have to use quiet voices and not run around.  
Clay is showing Carter how to detangle the horse Rosie's tail. 

Gwen is grooming the mane of Peanut the horse.

Gwen is using a tool to clean out the bottom of Peanut's hoof while Spike watches her. 

Carter is grooming Rosie with a curry brush.  
There are lots of steps involved in grooming a horse.

We got into our chaps and helmets and got ready to ride! 

We learned how to get on the horse, sit in the saddle, hold the reins, use our heels and talk to our horse.  Gwen was so nervous her knees were shaking but she did a great job riding! 

Carter felt a little nervous but rode very well! 

Carter is off and riding down the trail but he's checking to make sure we are following him! 

Our teacher, Ms. Dunn, had ridden horses before so she wasn't nervous, just happy! 

                  Our Mom's horse wanted to stop and eat everything along the trail. 

Then all of our horses' friends came running down the hill to say "hello" to them! And one decided to join us for the rest of the ride. 

                      Carter is leading his horse through and around the visiting horses. 

         It was fun watching all of the sheep being herded into their pen before sunset. 

We met a llama who guarded the flock of sheep, a herd of goats, and a very friendly sheep named "Chocolate".  She had a very thick coat, liked to eat leaves from our hands, and was so sweet we wanted to bring her home! 

After our ride, we visited Naushon's solar field which makes most of the island's electricity and surprised a White-tailed deer.

                                                

                                                             What a pretty place!

                                       This was the view from our bedroom windows! 

Our Dad arrived with his boat at the dock the next morning. We couldn't believe it was already time to go home! 

        Goodbye to Naushon and thank you to our friend Spike and his family for a great visit! 

                                                                   Until Next Time,
                                                                The Cuttyhunk Kids