Today I was able to volunteer at a local therapeutic riding center near our house. The center helps kids who mentally or physically disabled ride horses and just be treated normal for once. It's a lovely center that I greatly enjoyed working at. 

Unfortunately it was 83° out and I wore jeans and boots. There really wasn't a portion of me that wasn't drenched in sweat. When I got to Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center no one was there. I ended up spending an hour putting together 250 ribbons for the upcoming special Olympics. After an hour Ambrie,Brie for short, and the head of the center showed up and I went down to help. Brie was the one I worked with and I just loved hanging out with her. I was introduced to a lovely flaxen chestnut pony named Flash, he was very Sweet, and his rider, Maggie,a shy little girl. Brie led Flash and I walked beside Maggie to make sure she didn't come unbalanced,the saddle wasn't loose and Maggie stayed balanced. Maggie eventually came out of her shy shell and took to referring to me as 'Olive', she asked my name several times but each time I was addressed as Olive. We chatted about frogs and toads,identified different vehicles by their sounds, discussed what she and her friend, Mckenzie would be doing at their sleep over and admired the flowering trees. When we returned Maggie's mother greeted us and we brushed Flash down. Maggie talked more to me then left filled with excitement at the thought of getting McDonald's and a chocolate milkshake. 

After they left Brie and I went to round up horses and sort them. She gave me halters and took a carrot stick and then we moved out. There were two Norwegian Fjords,Olaf,who was handsome and his friend(his name escapes me); a beautiful bay overo Paint and a chestnut QH(I think) named Lola and Money;next came a spunky bay pony named Colby and another chestnut gelding. We moved them in easily except for one particular gelding, I'll call him Imp,who slipped past us before we could close the gate. Brie approached him to halter and move him but he bolted away. I came up on his right and cornered him, Imp hung his head with a look of guilt on his face as I haltered him and led him to the proper paddock. 

We had an hour to kill as one lesson cancelled so we tidied up and moved two ponies, Flash and a grey pony, to different pastures, swept out a stall and searched for something to drink. Brie had planned on taking me with her to a gas station to get a pop, but her next lesson showed up early. We settled for two small bottles of water and waited for her student to arrive.

Michael showed up shortly and I brought in Colby, the pony who bites. I believe I got bit twice before Colby decided he liked me enough to listen and let me lead him without issue. Michael, unable to talk and a little slower, handled the pony like a pro. He brushed Colby down, insisting on taking turns, led him around on the ground and tacked him up with Brie. When finished he was ready to have help mounting and then I led him on multiple trail rides with Brie as my sidewalker. Brie and I chatted and talked while I led, then we returned to the arena where Michael insisted we do two laps around the rail. When finished, Michael got down, untacked Colby and together we brushed the pony down. Michael soon left and Brie and I fed the horses and locked up. All in all it was a good day and I cannot wait to go back. Brie explained that I was basically one of the only volunteers who has experience with horses. She was thrilled when I said I'd be back as she said they needed more people with the experience I had. The Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center is in desperate need of volunteers and has been allowing anyone to help, but they'd prefer the volunteer have had experience with horses and experience with children would be a plus. I leased for six months and still ride on occasion not to mention I babysat for a while, helped with VBS at my church and also did daycare and taught Sunday school too. 

It was fun. I may still be out if the saddle but I get to lead trail rides and help with classes. These extracurricular activities such as volunteering at a stable or shadowing a vet will help in the(very near) future for when I apply for a college and scholarships. I'll probably take pre-grad courses at our local community college and transfer to MSU to study veterinary medicine. If things workout I may or may not spend the summer working on my relatives ranch in Texas. It seems it's the only way I'll be able to increase my experience and knowledge on horses and earn some money. But I don't know yet. 

Have a happy ride~