Island Horsemen’s Association Seeks Horse for 4-H Students
By Jessica Delaney

There’s an old adage that says, “You can’t teach a dog new tricks,” but you can teach a horse new tricks, and sometimes, the horse can teach you. That’s what the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association is hoping for with a new horse.

The group recently received a $2,500 grant from the Mackinac Island Community Foundation to purchase a school horse for the 4-H program and is looking to purchase either one or two well-trained horses.

The association leases a dozen horses for summer programs, but Director Leanne Brodeur hopes that their own new horse already will be trained in the ways of the horse ring and already know the basics of horsemanship. The leased horses usually are not trained in the ring, and the kids must train it. This can be a long process, though, since both the horse and the children have to learn what to do, said Ms. Brodeur.

To find an appropriate horse, she has been looking at Web sites, which she said is the easiest and quickest way to find horses for sale. When she locates a likely prospect, she will check it out in person.

Requirements for a school horse are somewhat unique. For one thing, the horse can be a little older than most show horses, and it should be calm.

“Kids will handle it all the time,” Mrs. Brodeur said, “so it should not get panicky.”

In addition to a generally calm and gentle temperament, an ideal horse will also be able to be led, washed, groomed, and clipped easily. It should not spook easily, and should be able to ride in either a group or alone. Also, it should be a healthy horse, and easy to keep.

Also, the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association is looking for a horse with common ring knowledge, including knowing how to switch gaits on command, pick up canter leads, go in a straight line down the center of the ring, and be trained in either the Western or English discipline.

Up to 40 children participate in the summer 4-H program, including kids who come up to the Island for the summer and kids from St. Ignace. They are divided into two groups based on age: the younger kids (5-8) are the Giddy-Up & Go, while older students are the Galloping Gliders (9-18).

Giddy-Up & Go focuses on getting kids comfortable and confident around horses, teaching safety tips, and learning basic mounting and dismounting. The older group works on specific skills, and also works in the barn. Though younger children are welcome in the barn as well, they require more supervision. Students in the Galloping Gliders are more on their own, and often the older kids can help the younger ones.

In the winter, children have the opportunity to go to the Horse Spectacular in Novi and the Horse Expo at Michigan State University in Lansing.

“It exposes the kids to big time stuff, and they get to see a different aspect of the horse business,” said Ms. Brodeur.

The mackinacHorsemen’s Association and 4-H club are nonprofit organizations that handle expenses primarily through fundraising and donations.

Lessons will begin in mid-June, when Ms. Brodeur hopes to have the new horse on hand.