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Finn looked up at the horse. “Wow. She’s big.”
“Yeah. Once you get to be a good rider, we’ll get you a smaller horse to ride.” He led Oakly out of the stall and tied her to a rail. “Let me get your saddle. I dug this kid sized saddle out of the store room. I think Sawyer used it last. Maybe Sage. I’m not sure.”
“It was mine.” J.T. turned to see Sawyer coming from the weight room. “It’s a lucky saddle. You’ll do just fine with it.” He glanced at J.T. “I had no idea Finn was a real cowboy.”
“He’s got the boots and hat to prove it.”
Finn held out his foot. “They’re just like my dad’s.”
“They sure are.” Sawyer patted J.T.’s back. “Do you need any help?”
“No. But company would be nice. I’m taking him to the round pen.”
“I’ll go change and be right out. I don’t want to miss this.”
Sawyer went up the stairs to the loft, and J.T. saddled Oakly, then lifted Finn onto the horse’s back. “Hang on tight there, cowboy.” He took the lead rope and led the horse out of the barn. They crossed the gravel in front of the barn and headed for the round training pen. Oakly plodded along at a slow pace, which is exactly what J.T. wanted her to do. Finn held on to the saddle horn with a big grin on his face.
“I’m doing it. I’m riding a horse.”
“You sure are.” He took the horse into the pen and closed the gate. “I’m going to circle you around a couple of times. Just keep holding on. You’re doing great.”
A few minutes later, Sawyer and Jake came to the pen and leaned on the fence.
Jake laughed. “Looking good, Finn.”
“I’m riding a horse.”
After several times around the pen, Sawyer went to the gate. “Okay. Give Uncle Sawyer a turn to lead that cowboy.”
J.T. looked at him. “Nothing too crazy.”
Sawyer put a hand on his chest. “Do you really think I’d put my nephew in danger?”
J.T. sighed. “Not intentionally.” He handed the lead line to Sawyer and went out through the gate. He then went to stand next to Jake.
Jake called out. “Let’s see what that old nag can do.”
J.T. shook his head. “No. Let’s not.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Sawyer started walking faster, then broke into a slow jog. Oakly reluctantly started trotting. Finn laughed as he bounced up and down in the saddle.
J.T. stepped up on the first rail and leaned over the fence. “Hang on tight.”
Jake stepped up next to him. “He’s fine. He’s having a blast.”
“I just don’t want to break him on his first time on a horse.”
Sawyer circled the pen once, then slowed down to a walk.
Finn grinned. “Do it again! Do it again!”
Sawyer glanced at J.T. “Let’s give Oakly a rest for a few minutes. Then we’ll do it again.” He stopped the horse. “Okay. Do you want to make her back up?”
Finn nodded. “Yeah.”
“Alright. Say, back girl.”
