When it comes to horses there is so much to learn. Even some of the best riders in the world aren’t knowledgeable about all aspects of equine life. One organization that is making a difference is the United States Pony Club.
Originating in Great Britain in the late 1920’s. Pony Club has long since been a great source of education for youth interested in horses. Pony Club migrated to the. U.S. in the early 1950’s and have been growing rapidly ever since. Today, there are more than 600 clubs nationwide, including Alaska and Hawaii. Pony Clubs are more than 13,000 members strong. Children can participate in club activities as soon as they are able to safely ride in activities as soon as they are able to safely ride in activities and competitions. Generally, The youngest members are aged 7 or 8. The maximum age for a club member is 21. Often times, club ‘graduates’ continue their involvement through volunteerism. Members are rated through a series of skills tests. Pony Club is not just about riding, members must learn all aspects of horsemanship. General care, feeding, common medical ailments, anatomy, nutrition, communication and even tack care are all elements that are covered in Pony Club.
The majority of Pony Clubbers ride in the English discipline. Despite the name, most members ride horses, not ponies.
At the Cohutta Highlands Pony Club in North Georgia, many members lease former racehorses that were rescued from perilous situations. This club is based out of NorthWind Equestrian Center which is also home to the Horse Rescue Relief and Retirement Foundation. Pony Club members at Cohutta Highlands have a unique opportunity to learn about aspects of equine life that most would rather forget. These children have seen horses come in that have been abused, neglected, injured or just abandoned.
The kids are involved in the rehabilitation and often are the first ones to mount the rescue horses. “Pony Club gives children lessons in life as well as horsemanship and being involved with rescued horses and ponies enhances that experience,” said Chery Flanagan the Cohutta Highlands Pony Club supervisor.
“Pony Club members learn safety, riding and horsemanship. Having so many horses around these young riders is a constant learning experience.”
Most horses that arrive at the rescue barn have problems. Quinn, a former racehorse, has anhidrosis. This condition prevents Quinn from sweating. He is on a special diet and gets quite a lot of stall rest. Since he is unable to sweat when he gets hot he will pant like a canine. Horses were not meant to pant so this activity overworks his heart making him prone to heart attack and degenerative heart disease. Quinn is only 8 years old.
Through checking a horses’ pulse and respiration at a rest and working pave in standard curriculum for all club members. It becomes detrimental to the health and safety of horses like Quinn.
Snowman, an older large white pony, is blind. He has been used in a unique way to train youngsters that they must pay attention when riding. He is perfectly well behaved in the ring and very knowledgeable and well trained but he still can’t see so young riders must be his eyes. Snowman loves the attention given by the children.
Club members also learn a great deal of patience from many of the horses that arrive. Take for instance a pony called Little Man; upon his arrival he was saddled and ridden but once turned loose he escaped and wasn’t caught again for several weeks. He is still fearful of people. Club members realize at an early age about the injustice of abuse and neglect. Flanagan hopes this will make the children more responsible pet and horse owners in adulthood. Pony Club is also a lot of fun for youngsters. At meetings they call rallies, clubbers play mounted games like pole bending and compete in more disciplined events like jumping. The club members are a close knit group because of their common interest and love for equines. Often, Pony Club member’s parents become involved as volunteers and chaperones at club events and end up making new friends as well. Anyway you look at it Pony Club is an adventure for you who love and want to be around horses. Membership is available without horse ownership.
For more information of USPC visit them on the web at www.ponyclub.org or call 859-254-7669.