Field Trip Friday to Fellowship Farm

Love me some alliteration :)

We had a field trip Friday that we have had to reschedule several times because of bad weather.  Friday, however, could not have been prettier. We visited Fellowship Farms, a large family run horse farm.  

They have over 40 horses of all ages and breeds.  They compete in dressage, jumping, and other categories.  They have a variety of lessons and a wonderful Christian summer day camp that they have been running continuously since the 1960s! We met several family members at the farm and they all could not have been more professional, hospitable, and friendly.  It is an incredible facility with some amazing animals, and a family full of passionate individuals.

We started off in one of the large stables. We were introduced to a few of the horses and the kids were given a lesson in anatomy, horse care, and horse tack. 

These horses live the high life- heated showers under a heat lamp! My kids don't even have it this good.

We walked around some of the property and saw the many pastures, performance rings, hay lofts, tractor barns, and covered riding arenas.  The kids really took to life in the country.  As much as they loved the farm equipment and horses, they were equally fascinated by collecting wildflowers...

Then we got to know some of the horses a little better.  As the weather gets warmer, the horses shed their winter coats which means LOTS of grooming.  They all had their own mini lesson and got to work.

Julia was in love.  She's has always liked horses, but has never had a this much time to really be around them and get to know them.  She was completely in her element and joyfully at ease for the first time in a really long time. We all need to see more of this face...

Even after over a dozen little groomers, we hadn't even made a dent. But the horses were very happy when we broke out the sugar cubes. Guess who was first in line?

 I love the way they lick their lips!

Then we headed down to some of the other pastures and outside stalls.  It was time for some good ole farm fun.  The Bell's took turns taking the kids for gator rides around the property.  Their squeals could be heard from fields away...

The highlight of the afternoon was definitely the swing...

If it hadn't been for their moms making them leave, our kids would all still be swinging :)