.:EQUUS:.

Feed a man today; he goes hungry tomorrow.  Teach a man to fish; feed him then, for life.

I thought it the coolest thing last year that with my earned points on my credit card, I could purchase a goat as this was offered as one of the reward points choices.  Why would I want a goat?

The card is a World Vision card where a small percentage of the amount I spend on the card is donated to World Vision.  This was appealing when looking into what sort of credit card I would get.  But all the better that it accumulates points and with these I can do further shopping.

World Vision are linked in with my credit card provider and for a particular number of points, I could purchase and donate a goat to a poverty stricken community, positively impacting a family and community over the long term.  Giving money through the use of my credit card is a short term answer, providing an animal that produces milk and can generate an income is a long term solution.

If something from my routine can benefit another (like the use of my credit card) then I’m all for it!  But where do the horses come into it, you ask?

The Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust “was established to reduce rural poverty by increasing productivity of working horses and donkeys through animal welfare and management education.” It seems the donkeys have already been provided and are making a massive difference in the income of their owners, but their state of being is questionable.

The Gambia Trust is planning to hold a couple of shows in November with the aim to reward those who take good care of their donkeys and make available education and resources to continue to do so.

“The classes were initially judged purely on condition and handling, but we are also gradually including conformation in an attempt to encourage selective breeding.”

The shows have been a big hit, helping to alleviate ignorance with regards to care of horses and donkeys and provide a place for the community to sell food and beverages to visitors from further afield.

The Gambia Trust also provides basic veterinary care at their centre and mobile clinics at local markets.  Training is also provided in schools, at college level and to farmer groups.  On top of this, the centre is also being used for harness makers to improve on what is currently being used and the training of farriers.

Volunteers from the UK come out to help judge, organise and steward these events that aim to make such an impact.  Perhaps the idea of helping out here is slowly forming?

“A horse doesn’t care how much you know until he knows how much you care.” - Pat Parelli

Tag: equine education, horse health, volunteer with horses, donkey welfare, gambia trust

I’m rather becoming fond of working part time as a clerk in a hospital and seem to be finding out more about horse related careers than I do when on the stud!  The latest is Hippotherapy which combines horse riding (generally with the help of the ingenious setup that is Riding for the Disabled) and the likes of a trained therapist (occupation, physical and speech).

The particular fact sheet provided to me was put together in conjunction with Pegasus, Riding for the Disabled of ACT.  Hippotherapy works to improve the client’s balance, function, posture and mobility through the use of a horse’s movement.  The movement of the horse is used to influence the client rather than the other way around.

“In the beginning we were woefully ignorant of the implications of the rider’s disabilities – we just had to ‘suck it and see’”.

However, on the first afternoon at Forrest Park, she recalls that a young girl who was usually wheelchair bound, rode under a tree and reached up to touch the leaves.

Suddenly the girl shouted “I can touch them! They are so soft!”

As joy and tears transformed the girl’s face, Bid was hooked forever and riding for the disabled was born in Canberra.

Want to know more?  Take a look at Pegasus’ Hippotherapy Fact Sheet.

A high proportion of clients have Cerebral Palsy while others have Multiple Sclerosis, a traumatic brain injury, cerebral vascular accident or functional spinal curvature such as scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis.

For those interested in pursuing this rewarding work, take a look at the American Hippotherapy Association’s education page and related curriculum.

Links of interest:
Hippotherapy at Wikipedia.
Hippotherapy in Western Australia.
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/ - the American Hippotherapy Association.
Volunteer at Pegasus ACT - minimum age 14 years.
Hippotherapy at YouTube.

“Riding Develops Abilities.”

tag: hippotherapy, physical therapy, equine therapy, riding for the disabled, volunteer with horses

I stumbled across the Blog Action Day Friday night (Oct 10) thanks to statcounter and was very curious about the general idea.  Basically, bloggers around the world unite on a particular day (October 15) and write about a particular topic.  The idea is to spark worldwide discussion on the given topic.  This year’s is Poverty.  What an amazing idea!

The idea - don’t change your blog to fit the topic; match the topic to your blog style.  The result?  A great many readers to your blog and raised awareness of a problem and potential solutions.

Dictionary reference for poverty:

For me, deficiency or insufficiency sums it up or simply put, a lack of the necessary or vital things to survive.  And who wants to just survive when they could fully live?

In the form of horses…
I have seen a lot of these gorgeous animals in shocking condition due to a lack of nutrition, veterinary and farriery care or just love.  And as someone who works within the racing industry (one of the top employers and money earners in Australia) it amazes me the amount I do see.

The associations set up to cater to damaged, abused, retired and neglected horses are an amazing work but to not need them in the first place would be all the better.

If you breed horses, ask yourself why?  If it’s a money earner, is your supply fitting to the demand or so much more that the horses lose value and are harder to sell and find homes for?

Whatever your reason for adding to the population, consider if you ended up keeping the foal and eventually full grown equine, could you afford what is needed to keep this worthy animal in good condition, healthy and happy?

If you’re competing is the brand new saddle you purchased for upcoming competitions going to put you in debt and therefore out of pocket for paying for agistment and feed.

If you’re looking to add to your herd, consider why you want a horse in the first place (paddock companion, breed, compete, show, pleasure, learn to ride) and consequently where you could shop around and find a horse that can be suited to this desire that otherwise might have been sold to an ill meaning owner or possibly put down.

I am more than blessed and I choose to stay an owner of one horse at this particular time as my funds can easily cover his needs.  Down the track I plan on having many more but at this point in time feel it would be an irresponsible move.

In the form of people…
Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch was the first eye opener for me when it comes to people and horses combining to help others who are desperately lacking.  Kim and Troy Meeder take in abused and neglected horses, work with them and bring them back to the condition they should be in and then pair them with people from abused and neglected backgrounds, raising confidence, creating friendship and establishing relationships.

Riding for the Disabled is set up to enrich the lives of those who are disabled through providing a program that can help physically and mentally.  Volunteers who take part in the program also find their lives to be that much fuller due to helping out with such a worthy cause.

For the horse obsessed, there are set ups out there that allow you to donate your time and expertise and help introduce others to these gorgeous animals and therefore a chance to enrich their life.

I am more than blessed and I choose to sponsor a child through World Vision and Compassion at this point in time.  Perhaps down the track I won’t have the funds to do so, but I may have the time instead, to invest in something.  How about you?

But I’m just one person… What can one person do?

In our own way, anyone can help to Make Poverty History.  Interested in volunteering for something horse related?  Consider Riding for the Disabled or other worthy causes.

“Poverty is another word for owning a horse…”

tag: blog action day, horse poverty, crystal peaks youth ranch, greater cause, volunteer

To volunteer!

Last year I dobbed myself in for helping out at Equitana 2007 but a spread of EI caused that idea to disappear. Amazing to think it’s already around to that time where volunteers are being asked to put their names forward for the big horse event:

“Have you ever thought about volunteering at Equitana but have just never taken the next step? Well 2008 is the year to get off your horse and join the Hygain Equitana Volunteer Program!

We are currently seeking enthusiastic, passionate people to help at the event. In exchange for your services rendered you will be given a volunteer pack full of various goodies including an official “Hygain Equitana Helper” t-shirt and cap and a ticket to a clinic of your choice!

With various jobs available from customer service to working in the stables there is sure to be something that interests you! So don’t think about it this year, DO IT! Join the Hygain Equitana Volunteer Program today!”

Check out the volunteer page at http://www.equitana.com.au/volunteer/

A horse which stops dead just before a jump and thus propels its rider into a graceful arc provides a splendid excuse for general merriment. - Duke of Edinburgh

tag: education, competition, horse events, equitana

Ministry/Ministration - ‘The act or process of serving or aiding.’

When I have the 400 acres I am continually dreaming about, my main goal in life is to run an Equine Ministry. I see this as being a place that looks after the well being of these gorgeous animals and through them, reaches out to people. There are a lot around, many of which make a small profit or none requiring volunteers and whatever the case, all seem to be for a great cause.

Having been a volunteer for a branch of Riding For the Disabled, Australia I see RDA as a well known equine ministry that makes a huge impact on the riders and those volunteering their time and services.

Other Equine Ministries:
HopeWell Ranch - “To provide free, Christ-based equine therapy for children, adults and their families who are challenged mentally, physically and emotionally.”

Horse Haven Ranch Ministries Giving Girls Purpose - A non-denominational, multi-ethnic, Christian Ministry

Miracle Mountain Ranch Missions - The whole setup of the summer camp looks very appealing and Sermon on the Mount completely appealed!

Wild Horse Ministries - As the ministry listed above, this also seems to relate working with and educating a horse to scripture and our growth in life.

Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch - Where it all started for me. Mum heard Kim Meeder being interviewed and her book Hope Rising talked about on LightFM and immediately sought out the book as she felt it’d interest me. I now await the day where I’m able to set up a ministry and reach out to people like Kim and her husband Troy do.

I’m sure there are many more equine ministries around, all different in their own respect but still offering services to those in need and making use of the beautiful animal that is the horse. Perhaps there’s one nearby that you can help out at, volunteer, become employed or become a part of making a difference in someone else’s life. Or perhaps you need a place like this to make a difference in your life. They seem to me a very worthwhile ministry.

“An instructor does not criticize you, but what you have been taught.”

tag: equine ministry, horse goals, Hope Rising, Kim Meeder, riding for the disabled