Conference noted::equitation

    
    
    	Clinics... How about a breed clinic.. Can you name that
    	breed.. What makes them different.. What is there specialty.
    
    	Ie A Quarter Horse was named because it could run a fast
    	1/4 mile.
    
    	In this they could name there own breed since most 4-h horse
    	are grade horses.
    
    	

    What about some sort of clinic geared towards caring for the horses?
    Proper care is so important, and it seems like so many kids get riding
    training but not much else in a lot of lesson programs. Perhaps have
    a vet drop by, or someone very experienced in, to discuss lamenesses,
    etc, and then use the kids horses to demonstrate the different types
    of conformations, breed types, etc??
    

    We just had a "Playday" for my horse club.  We set up a mini
    trail class, (I had the pleasure of judging this, and the kids
    thought this was great....) and we had games on horseback like, 
    "Simon Says",(Simon says, trot, Simon says, reverse direction)  
    Egg & Spoon, (have you ever tried to balance an egg on a spoon
    while on horseback? :-)) "Jack & Jill" (fetch the water, of course.
    Set up two buckets, and the rider must take a ladle of water to
    the empty bucket across the ring) Dress up (ever tried putting
    on a shirt, tie & hat :-))......
    
    Lynne

    Good thoughts......I have done alot of the things mentioned and
    alot of our meetings are in the library. 
    
    I was trying to use my new riding ring and do more hands on with the
    kids. Alot of them never get to even take lessons.
    
    we do have a couple of "playdays" planned for them in september and 
    october. I am ordering ribbons tonight. Everyone will get aribbon.
    
    I like the dress up class, and the water race. I have planned on
    
    a first time ever...Fitting and showmanship class
                        (alot of our members have shown too)
    
                        egg and spoon
    
                        flag race
     
                        musical sacks
    
                        sit-a-buck
    
                        key hole race
    
    I was thinking of holding a little dressage clinic if my neighbor
    would teach it and that way all the kids could learn a little
    about this style of riding.
    
    Keep the ideas coming......

    How about a "tack" clinic....explaining what each item
    does and demonstrating it by using a horse as a dress up
    model?   (My 6 yr old next door neighbor gets a kick out
    of my quizzing her about the stuff I have told her....
    "What's this, Ashley?"  "Ummmm, a rein?" (said while I
    held up the halter ;-))
    
    Or, a grooming clinic, showing how to prepare a horse for
    general riding, you know, pick the feet, check for injuries,
    brush horse, etc...and along the same lines, how to prepare
    a horse for a show, as in special grooming tips, like braiding
    the mane, polishing the hooves, brushing the horse's teeth ;-).
    
    Or, how about on feeding a horse?  Explain and show what hay, oats 
    & sweet feed are, and how important fresh water is, etc.  And why
    a horse doesn't eat a hamburger...;-) 
           
    And, safety with horses....how to lead a horse, what not to do &
    do i.e. don't walk up behind a horse, you might get kicked because
    you startle the horse, etc. etc.  You could let the kids get some
    hands on experience leading, etc...
    
    You could hand out participation ribbons to all who attend the 
    above clinics.....
    
    L-

    MORE GOOD IDEAS....
    
    Yes we do all these things now. I do hold alot of meeting at my houses
    when the weather permits. Other then that we are at the Library. The 
    kids all work to earn "stars" and at the end of the year we give out
    awards. We do have some ribbons and prizes we do during the year.
    
    We try to have a deminstration once a month from one of the kids on
    something....such as bringing in a saddle and going over the parts,
    breeds, etc.
    
    We are on our way with our little fun show for the kids. the ribbons
    are ordered, date is set...time will tell now.
    
    We also have guest speakers and try to go on field trips. We will go to 
    the Bolton Fair and compete. We won the club challange again last year.
    
    I will take them to Sudbury to a Clydesdale farm.
    
    tr

    Terry-
    
    Are you talking about Mega Clyd's in Sudbury?  If so, that is my
    friend Al's farm!  His horses are great!  His stud Buster is a
    real people pleaser.....when we visited one time, there wer six little
    kids pulling manes and tails and climbing all over him....and he loved
    it!
    
    A great trip!
    
    Another idea, take them to a Paint and Pinto farm.....Sally Atchu
    has a Paint/Pinto stud and an Arab/Pinto stud.  She has several
    mares in foal, and several yearlings and weanlings to boot!  Lots of 
    color!  She did clinics for us all winter, so she may have some ideas
    for you too.  Contact me off line if you want her number.
    
    Michele