New Vaulting Horse At Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Farm
February 27, 2008
Monday was another cold night for volunteering at Pegasus Farms, a therapeutic horseback riding facility in northeast Ohio. We were short on volunteers, and had barely enough to cover classes. Typically, we have enough people that a few can stay behind and do barn work while the rest are in class. This week, we were running over half an hour behind and still had all of the barn chores to do after the final class. Fortunately, I work with a group of big-hearted, willing volunteers and we all happily do what needs to be done.
Of course, I was jumping into barn chores with the rest of the group when Randy, the instructor, asked me to come with him to check out a new horse. River is a 6-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse that Pegasus just bought to use with the vaulting team. Along with the therapeutic students, Pegasus has a small vaulting program (which includes some disabled students) and 4-H club.
River is one gorgeous and very sweet boy! He was in his stall with a blanket on, so his 16.1 hand frame with refined head and small, delicate nose make him look like a palomino-colored thoroughbred. Looking at his pictures, though, it’s obvious he has Quarter Horse roots as well.
I really wish I could have a chance to spend some time with River and even ride him, as he seems like a once-in-a-lifetime kind of horse. Unfortunately, that’s not the way it works at Pegasus - only the staff schools the horses. But I sure will make sure I take some time out to visit with this pretty boy whenever I get a chance.
I’m glad Randy wanted to show him to me; he wanted somebody to share in the appreciation of a really nice horse. And I definitely can appreciate River! But it gives me hope that someday when I’m in the market for a horse, I can find that perfect one for me. I’ll be sure to keep Grey Horse Matters do’s and don’ts for buying a horse in mind when I do!
Posted in Jackie's Thoughts, Therapeutic Riding
February 27th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Oh, by the way, I’ve just added you to my link and blog roll…….Thanks for coming to vist me….I always welcome visitors and I enjoy your site.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
River is gorgeous, I would certainly make room for a horse like him in my barn if I ever got the chance. Since you work so hard volunteering, maybe they would let you ride him just once to see how he goes. You can tell by his expression that he is very sweet. Even though I am not interested in vaulting(I’d probably kill myself), I think it is amazing that anyone can do that. My daughter who schooled in Scotland for a while with the BHS, said they had a vaulting team at the barn, but she never got involved with it as it wasn’t her thing either, she also had no time for extras since she was basically an indentured servant while learning there. Love your posts they are always interesting.
February 27th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
An article came out in our local newspaper this morning talking about our Kids & Horses program. They have six therapy horses, 32 students, and 72 volunteers. Wow! The article mentioned NARHA certified instructors. Is that what you are?
February 27th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
GreyHorseMatters - I don’t have the least bit of interest in trying vaulting myself, but it sure is fun to watch!
Nuzzling Muzzles - No, I’m not a certified instructor … yet. I’d very much like to get my certification someday, though. It’s a very involved process. You can read about what all is involved at http://www.narha.org/Programs/Registered.asp. Right now I just do the grunt work of grooming and tacking horses, leading them in lessons, and doing barn work. The one great aspect of a being the volunteer verses the instructor is that I get more one on one time with the students. But getting NARHA certified is still pretty high on my list of to dos.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
And he is a gorgeous horse!
February 29th, 2008 at 8:59 am
Ooooeeee there Jackie - thats one handsome boy to mush on when you have a chance! Quite a contrast to some of the “seasoned citizens” I am sure, but I have a feeling that you love them all for their own abilities.
Have fun getting to know him, and I will be hoping that someone sees fit to put you up there for a ride…
February 29th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
LOL I can’t resist starting with this, I am evil sometimes………don’t forget the Arabian blood in that horse. Just look at the width between those eyes and the short head. LOL
OK, ok, I’ve got myself under control, lol, he reallyis a stunning horse. You’ll follow his progress a bit for us, right??