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Re: [RC] The next generation - Milinda Ellis

This was a great post, Lisa!
 
Back when I was an animal science major, I made arrangements for a group of students in the freshman [general] animal science class at Texas A&M to come and volunteer at the Armadillo ride.  The prof. was giving the class "extra credit" opportunities and I approached him to ask if an endurance ride qualified for extra credit.  After explaining/clarifying to him, I had to stand up before the class of 350, explain about endurance riding in general, this ride in particular, tell them they wouldn't be paid but they would be fed (and we all know college students will do just about anything for food!!!).  I warned them about the accomodations (sleeping in an enclosed horse trailer on fresh shavings -- I wasn't taking any horses this time) and porta-potties...  Quite a few volunteered and a surprising number actually showed up.  Maybe they initially signed up for the 50 extra credit points, but they all learned something and went back to tell all our classmates.  Some were city kids who'd never camped. Some had never been around horses.  Many were aspiring to attend vet school or medical school.  We had a really good time and they did too!
 
I'll approach Dr. Hesby again when the fall semester starts -- because he asks me everytime he sees me whether there are any rides being held close-by...
 
Ride managers:  don't miss out on this type of "untapped" resource for ride volunteers.  Also check with vet schools to get some of their students or techs to come and help.
 
Milinda Ellis
Beargrass Cleveland Bays
Jewett, Texas
 
--- Original Message -----
From: oddfarm
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2003 6:18 AM
Subject: [RC] The next generation

I got a call from a high school grad looking for someone to trailer her horse up to Gainesville where she will be going to college. Actually, her teacher Peggy Biram who works at our local high school vo-ag dept called me first. She said this girl rescued this horse and couldn't get anyone to trailer her horse for her.
 
I picked her and the horse up this morning at 7a.m. The horse was a walking, but very shiny and clean, skeleton. The young lady has had her for 3 weeks and has already nursed the 2 year old filly through a colic and is trying to get some ulcers under control. She told me she spent all her savings and graduation money on this horse. The next director for the Human Society?
 
She drives a blue sparkly '66 Chevy pick-up that says "Country Girl". Her belongings that were packed in the truck were a suitcase, horse feed, dog food, cat food, bowls, cages, a very large Shepard mix, a tiny Chihuahua and two cats. I asked her if she had a house and she said no, she was in an apartment. I said "And your taking all your animals?" She looked at me so confused and said "Well, yeah"  Duh, silly me. She is going to college for pre-vet and hopes to become an equine vet. She said she wanted to pay me for the ride and I advised her to study hard, take care of her animals, become a great vet and then call me. We'll talk then! The next President to AAEP? Head vet at a ride?
 
Peggy Biram works very hard at getting some of these young equestrians involved in endurance riding. Thank you Peggy!! She has to fight the system to get permission for these kids to go to the rides. She packs, drives, feeds and sponsors the riders. ( I don't understand why it is sooo easy to get the football team to away games but a teacher has to jump loops to take the kids camping?) This girl I met today did her first ride at Green Swamp with Peggy and is hooked. She loved the trails and camping.  The next Commissioner of Education? Agriculture? Forestry division?
 
If you have a chance to influence the younger crowd, take advantage of it. They are the future for us in more ways than we an imagine. Remember the polls? The future foresters, environmentalists, county commissioners and others who influence our trails, research and economics are the ones we need to talk to now. This young lady has already learned how important it is to get involved in something because it is the right thing to do. She obviously has already been influenced by some wonderful people.
Thanks to people like Peggy, Maryben,(Queen Jr. sponsor) and others who take the time to talk to our young people, there is hope for our world yet.
 
 Ahhh, to be 18 again and know what I know now. Well, I don't know THAT much more than I did at 18. I do know true love. I do know that kids are a blessing and that families are importent. And I know that a   friendship can last a lifetime, as long as you don't kill them trying to keep them involved in your horse world.
 
Lisa Salas, The Odd fArm
What whould you attempt to do, if you knew you could not fail? 
 
 
 

Replies
[RC] The next generation, oddfarm