THANKS to all of you who submitted ideas for the Youth Page. We are busy organizing all your ideas to make this page "by youth and for youth". One of the great suggestions we are already busy working on is to create a mascot you can write to for answers straight from the horse's mouth. Watch this page next month for our "name the mascot" contest.
A special welcome to Michelle Dempsey, our new Youth Editor.
Michelle is a recent graduate of the College of Southern Idaho, Equine Program during which time she submitted articles to NWHS Youth Page. In the Fall she will be attending Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, CO. She plans to transfer to Colorado State to finish her B.A. in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Studies. Michelle raises registered quarter horses, has participated in 4-H since she was 9, horse judging in FFA and high school and college rodeo events.
Be sure to check www.nwhorsesource.com for events:
Fair Time Through a Horse's Eye
by: Michelle Dempsey, CSI Graduate
Hi, My name is Pokey and I am a 4-H horse. It's that time of the year again; local, county and state fairs are appearing on the horizon. It's the last bit of summer fun to be had in most cases before it's time for my kid partners to go back to school.
I can always tell when the fair is coming because the clippers come out. The kids and their parents spend a whole day with me. My bridle path gets clipped just so and then off come my whiskers and chin hair. It's going to take me a good month to grow them back. My legs get clipped to the knee and then they get my ear hair. That tickles. I must remind them to use insect repellent or to get me a fly mask because without the hair in my ears I can't keep the bugs out. The farrier came yesterday and put new shoes on my feet. Next they are going to start pulling my mane to make it short. I don't really like this but I stand for it because I love my kids. The bath is OK, the cold water is rather shocking at first but I get used to it. I do wish they would use warm water, I get cleaner and I like the warm water better. Hope they remember to use a sponge for my face and head. I hate water to get in my ears and when the soap gets in my eyes it hurts! They condition my tail, braid it and put it into a tail bag. Now I have to stand in the sun until I'm dry. Where's the insect repellent guys? The bugs are biting me. Thanks, that's better. My legs are encased in polo wraps and I'm wearing a sheet to keep me clean. So much for rolling in the dirt. Tomorrow it's off to the fair.
Here are a few things to remember while at the fair:
1. Don't hog the wash racks, there are lots of people who need to use them so please be considerate.
2. If your horse kicks, tie a red ribbon in it's tail to warn other riders and keep an eye out for those who don't pay attention. It's no fun for a horse or person to be kicked.
3. If you are not in a class don't hang out with your horse by the gate while competitors are entering or exiting the ring, This causes a traffic jam and slows down the whole show.
4. Remember to bring your own water and feed containers and don't let your horse drink from a community trough. He might get sick.
5. Keep your stall clean and put manure and old straw/shavings in the designated area.
6. Don't race around the trailer area or anywhere other than the arena or the warm up ring. Some one could be injured. Always watch for both horse and vehicle traffic.
7. Above all be a good sport. Don't throw a tantrum because you didn't win. It's supposed to be for fun and to learn. Ask the judge what you can do to improve your performance and work on it for next time.
Have fun at the fair!
