Low Cost Training and Lesson Options
There are ways for horse crazy kids to learn more about horses without incurring huge bills. Joining a local horse club such as 4-H or pony club is a good start. Most areas offer one or both to the local youth. Many of the club leaders are also trainers and can offer qualified assistance in teaching young people all about the equine species. Many areas have multiple clubs, which offers a choice of riding disciplines; some clubs focus on English, some western, some on a specific event. Some clubs do not even require a horse and offer basic knowledge on horses such as conformation, grooming and general care. Many qualified club leaders are willing to assist their club members by offering advice and opinions on horse purchases to ensure that kids get a good horse.
Most clubs do not require annual dues but the cost is usually minimal. Some clubs such as 4-H require members to complete an annual record book. Many provide lessons in horsemanship and the riding discipline the club is focused on. Others are simply trail rides and horseback games. Either way it is a way for kids to learn more about horses with other kids with the same interests. It also provides an opportunity for new friendships. Many areas have shows, gymcannas, or playdays offering prizes and/or points for the local clubs to compete in.
Youth clubbing provides experience, skill and above all, friendship to kids of all ages. To get information on the clubs offered in your area check with the county extension office or in the local community events listings.
Introducing New Youth Page Editor
We are pleased to introduce Michelle Dempsey as our new youth page editor. Michelle was born in Valdez, Alaska and then moved to Fallon, Nevada at age 7 where her love of horses materialized in an AQHA buckskin gelding named Pocos Last Hobby, Pokey for short. Michelle has competed in 4-H since the age of nine in horse and market lamb clubs. Rodeo has also been a large part of Michelle’s horse experience. She has competed in all of the rodeo events including, barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway & team roping, even steer and cow riding at the junior, high school and college level. During her sophomore and junior years of high school, Michelle participated in both the Miss High School Rodeo Nevada and the Miss Teen Rodeo Nevada pageants. She has also been very active in FFA competing in horse and livestock judging and winning a gold emblem at the national level in specialty animal production. Michelle recently earned her technical certificate in Horse Management from the College of Southern Idaho and plans to pursue an agriculture teaching degree and her Bachelors in Animal Science with an emphasis in Equine Studies. Now 26, Michelle is a junior partner in the family ranching operation in Southwestern Idaho where she raises quarter horses and cattle. Pokey is still with her in semi-retirement at the comfortable age of 23 and plans to stick around for many years to come.
Name the Mascot Competition
We felt that our youth page needed to be updated and in an effort to do so we would like to introduce you to our new youth page mascots. However we have a problem we would like your help with. The mascots need names. We will be posting the rules and prizes for the ‘Name the Mascots Contest’ in next month’s issue but in the meantime we would like to tell you how our mascots will be helping you. They will answer your horse related questions, offer advice and training tips. They will have their own email address so you can write to them directly and see many of your questions and the answers posted at our online website. The new mascots are a pinto pony gelding and a palomino show mare. Between these two pasture pals they can answer almost any horse related question from grooming and nutrition tips to event and horse behavior questions. Our mascots would love to hear your success stories, helpful hints, movie reviews, and anything you have to say horse related. So be thinking about names for our new pasture pals and watch for next month’s issue to find out about contest rules and prizes.
Copyright © 2009 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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