Back when I was an animal science major, I made
arrangements for a group of students in the freshman [general] animal science
class at Texas A&M to come and volunteer at the Armadillo ride. The
prof. was giving the class "extra credit" opportunities and I approached
him to ask if an endurance ride qualified for extra credit. After
explaining/clarifying to him, I had to stand up before the class of 350, explain
about endurance riding in general, this ride in particular, tell them they
wouldn't be paid but they would be fed (and we all know college students will do
just about anything for food!!!). I warned them about the accomodations
(sleeping in an enclosed horse trailer on fresh shavings -- I wasn't taking any
horses this time) and porta-potties... Quite a few volunteered and a
surprising number actually showed up. Maybe they initially signed up for
the 50 extra credit points, but they all learned something and went back to tell
all our classmates. Some were city kids who'd never camped. Some had never
been around horses. Many were aspiring to attend vet school or medical
school. We had a really good time and they did too!
I'll approach Dr. Hesby again when the fall semester starts -- because he
asks me everytime he sees me whether there are any rides being held
close-by...
Ride managers: don't miss out on this type of "untapped" resource
for ride volunteers. Also check with vet schools to get some of
their students or techs to come and help.
I got a call from a high school grad looking for
someone to trailer her horse up to Gainesville where she will be going to
college. Actually, her teacher Peggy Biram who works at our local high school
vo-ag dept called me first. She said this girl rescued this horse and couldn't
get anyone to trailer her horse for her.
I picked her and the horse up this morning at
7a.m. The horse was a walking, but very shiny and clean, skeleton. The young
lady has had her for 3 weeks and has already nursed the 2 year old filly
through a colic and is trying to get some ulcers under control. She told
me she spent all her savings and graduation money on this horse. The next
director for the Human Society?
She drives a blue sparkly '66 Chevy pick-up that
says "Country Girl". Her belongings that were packed in the truck were a
suitcase, horse feed, dog food, cat food, bowls, cages, a very large Shepard
mix, a tiny Chihuahua and two cats. I asked her if she had a house and she
said no, she was in an apartment. I said "And your taking all your animals?"
She looked at me so confused and said "Well, yeah" Duh, silly me. She is
going to college for pre-vet and hopes to become an equine vet. She said she
wanted to pay me for the ride and I advised her to study hard, take care of
her animals, become a great vet and then call me. We'll talk then! The next
President to AAEP? Head vet at a ride?
Peggy Biram works very hard at getting some of
these young equestrians involved in endurance riding. Thank you Peggy!! She
has to fight the system to get permission for these kids to go to the rides.
She packs, drives, feeds and sponsors the riders. ( I don't understand why it
is sooo easy to get the football team to away games but a teacher has to jump
loops to take the kids camping?) This girl I met today did her first ride at
Green Swamp with Peggy and is hooked. She loved the trails and
camping. The next Commissioner of Education? Agriculture? Forestry
division?
If you have a chance to influence the younger
crowd, take advantage of it. They are the future for us in more ways than we
an imagine. Remember the polls? The future foresters, environmentalists,
county commissioners and others who influence our trails, research and
economics are the ones we need to talk to now. This young lady has
already learned how important it is to get involved in something because
it is the right thing to do. She obviously has already been influenced by some
wonderful people.
Thanks to people like Peggy, Maryben,(Queen Jr.
sponsor) and others who take the time to talk to our young people, there
is hope for our world yet.
Ahhh, to be 18 again and know what I know
now. Well, I don't know THAT much more than I did at 18. I do know true love.
I do know that kids are a blessing and that families are importent. And I
know that a friendship can last a lifetime, as long as you don't
kill them trying to keep them involved in your horse world.
Lisa Salas, The Odd fArm
What whould you attempt to do, if you knew you
could not fail?