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In januari ’25, @4kids4wheels start following BoksheideBuiten and we follow them too. Some time later, a call comes trough from Jacquelien & Niels asking for a 3 bedroom rental house and respond. After a few hours we FaceTimen and it immediatly feels right for all of us!

The first meeting.

Jacqueline writes. It’s Wednesday 16 April and this afternoon we got to meet Alexandra’s ponies & horses at Boksheide. How much we are looking forward to it!

When we walk to the horse arena, they meet us at the same time. A quick sniff and stroke and then we can enter the arena through the gate. The horses & ponies appear relaxed and Charlotte (7), our eldest daughter, can go for a walk with Navida right away.

When navida seems to keep passing Charlotte, she gets the tip to hold the rope a bit shorter. That way, they walk side by side instead of in front of and behind each other. This feels nice and Charlotte walks a lot of laps through the arena, enjoying the moment! I like the way Alexandra dares to let go so quickly  and I see Charlotte’s responsibility increasing, which she enjoys.

While Niels and Alexandra chat together and observe everything around them, Raphaël and Olivia mainly discover their surroundings.

Together with Juliëtte, I walk with Floris. Floris ia a bit smaller and fits nicely next to Juliëtte. He radiates mischief, something Juliëtte is too. Sweetly mischievous, he takes Juliëtte’s hoodie in his mouth. Juliëtte is totally amused and he goes a step further and further. A little later, he even puts his head on her shoulder and they walk on together. It amazes me how. Juliëtte lets it happen and at the same time enjoys the contact with Floris.

For me personally, it’s too much what comes together at a time, 2 horses, 2 ponies I don’t know. Niels talking to Alexandra, Charlotte walking independently with Navida, Rafaël and Olivia unaware of where they are walking/running and what sound they are making. I feel more tense and alert at such times, than relaxed. I decide to leave the arena with Juliëtte and walk into the meadow. This offers more space around me, which feels nicer to me.

I see the children enjoying themselves, the birds are singing around us, it is nice and chilly and dry. How blessed I feel to have the chance to get to know these ponies in the coming time and to be able to do the horse coach training with them.

To be continued…

Next time, I will be the first to work with Jacquelien on the ponies. Curious? Keep reading the blogs!