Boy scout thing went well. I shows them how to feed, brush, comb mane and tail, clean feet, clipper, saddle, bridle. Showed them teeth covered shoeing, worming shots. Then ponied each boy (about 10) twice and 2 of the dads once each. I would walk them down about 50 yards then run back with Blade in a rack. Blade was so good. He loved all the attention. I had everyone tied but Blade. He just stood there while they brushed him, cleaned his feet and while each boy climbed (some not so gracefully) or plopped in the saddle. Only one boy had ever been on a horse before. They just could not believe how smooth the rack was compared to the walk. I spent 3 hours with them and when they left I was wore out. Gary said my face was beet red from all the running. I had a pretty good headache going by the time they left so when they were gone I showered and laid down for a couple hours, then got up and groomed two terriers. I am pretty sore today. I was so proud of Blade, he was everyones favorite. Have I told you lately how much I love that horse?
Only every time you ride him! ;o)
I think you did a great service not only for the boys and their dads, but to horses. Every back yard horse owner want-to-be should have to have a class like that to let them see that being a horse owner is much more responsibility and work than most of them know. It is not all petting, feeding cookies, and perfect rides and behavior (not that yours weren’t) all the time. They need to know the cost of all those things you went over with them, too. There would probably be alot less uncared for, unwanted, unable to afford horses out there that you can’t give away in a horse sale. Also, the ones that went ahead and got one would know what all they needed to keep done for them instead of waiting till they were sick or down.