Horse Crazy!!!!

Alex L O V E S horses! She has been asking for a horse for a very long time. Last fall break Alex went to a horse camp where she had a daily riding lesson and every morning they had to clean the stable, feed the horses and learned how to groom the horses. The camp accelerated her love for the animal. Last weekend I took Alex to the Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale. I hoped this would satisfy her hunger to have a horse and it would make a nice Alex-and-Mom day. My friends, Lisa and Erin, went with us and Erin was able to talk shop (stable?) with Alex. She had horses growing up in Indiana and also rode competitively. The day was really nice. We walked the stables and pet the horses and watched a jumping and costume class.

At the end of a nice day my plan backfired: Alex went home with tears in her eyes. "I really want a horse!" She asked if she could go online to look for horses. I thought that was a great idea . Horses cost a lot of money and this hopefully would stifle the dream of owning one at the age of 9 1/2...

Mom and Alex at the horse show. Notice the cute horse shirt and necklace she wore that day.



Alex went on Craig's List and found horses for sale anywhere from $500 dollars on-up. This made the situation worse because now she realizes that she has enough in savings to buy her own horse. We did find a lady on Craig's List who needs someone to feed her horses 2 x's a week with some lite stall cleaning and in turn will give one FREE riding lesson a week. What a great opportunity for Alex to work for something that she really wants and learn responsibility and how to care for horses. Alex is willing and ready to commit to this great opportunity the only problem is... Am I willing and ready to commit? What is a parent to do!?!?!?

This is a picture of the horse that Alex found on line for $500--Spanish Mustang Filly.

She has been begging and pleading to buy this horse. She even offered to sell all her beloved stuff animals and do yard work for $5.00 an hour to cover boarding expenses. She will need 20 yards to make $100 each month to cover the boarding expenses.