| *1. |
Discuss with the girls the safety requirements they must understand before
they go to a stable, go near a horse or take their first lesson. It is very important to
emphasize the need for proper protective gear and clothing including wearing safety
headgear and appropriate boots or shoes. Please refer to pages 102-104 of your Safety-Wise. |
| 2. |
Using a diagram of a horse from a library book, learn the parts of a horse.
Learn about the many breeds of horses. Have each girl make her own booklet about horses
starting with this diagram. |
| 3. |
Learn the names and draw pictures of each tool that is used to groom a
horse. Learn the parts of a saddle and bridle. What is the difference between
English and Western riding. Add these pictures to your book. |
| 4. |
Have someone talk to the troop about the ways horses helped in developing
this country (transportation, farming, communication and sport). |
| 5. |
Find out what equestrian means and what type of sporting events involve
horses. Do men and women have separate events like other sports or do they compete
as equals? Emphasize the different types of Olympic events. |
| 6. |
Go to your library and investigate how many books there are on horses.
Read a story about a horse. After the story, make a picture for your booklet
about the story. As a group, watch a movie or video about a horse. |
| 7. |
Go to a stable, county fair, horse show or farm and see how the horse are
cared for before and after riding or working. |
| 8. |
Make a collage or poster about horses. Cut out pictures from
magazines or newspapers or draw your own pictures. Display your posters. |
| 9. |
Find out about animal rescue organizations especially those who help
horses. Discuss donating money from troop funds to help your local SPCA purchase feed
for horses or donkeys. Your local SPCA might wish used, but in good condition, towels
and blankets for horses. Call and ask. |
| 10. |
Make your own hobby horse from an old sock and broomstick.
Materials needed for each horse: 1 adult-size cotton sock, styrofoam ball, broomstick or
dowel, 2 plastic or styrofoam cups, pair of 1" wiggly eyes, felt and yarn, pipe
cleaners, craft glue, cotton balls or batting.
Directions: Push the broomstick or dowel into the ball. Push the base of the
cup into the toe of a sock and then pull the sock over top of the ball and stick.
Cut 2 ears out of felt, a blaze for the face out of white felt, and nostrils out of pink
felt. Glue these in place. Make a mane out of a rectangle of brown felt;
fringe the edges and glue to the neck. To make a bridle, tie a loop of yarn around the
nose; tie a second loop around the forehead. Use two pipe-cleaner rings for the bit. Tie a
piece of yarn to one ring and loop it over the head to the other. Lastly, tie yarn
reins to the rings, stuff the sock with batting and slip over another cup. |
| 11. |
Learn about services available to keep a horse healthy: equine veterinarian,
dentist, farrier, worming schedule, etc. |
| 12. |
A horse bed is much different from yours. Learn what is necessary to
keep a horse warm and cozy in its stall. You could construct a stall using popsicle
sticks and hay. |
| 13. |
Horses and humans have had a long relationship. Learn how horses are
being used to help the developmentally handicapped and the treatment of emotionally troubled
youths and adults. |
