By Sara Misura
The Crawford County Young Riders 4H Club held their last scheduled indoor meeting for the season on Sunday, April 9th. The rest of the meetings will be held outside at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in the horse arena. Members are to bring their horses every Sunday for a riding meeting starting Sunday, April 23.
At this meeting first year members watched the required safety video. This video must be watched by all new members before they are allowed to ride a horse in a club event including the meetings.
This is just one of the many ways that Horse Council and the Young Riders 4H advisors try to keep everyone safe. Horses can be very dangerous and unpredictable, so everyone is required to wear a fitted helmet.
It is also recommended that horses are lounged before riding meetings as they can get frisky when in a new place and especially if it is windy or cold. All advisors are happy to help any members struggling with their horse or if they are inexperienced with lounging or riding.
During the riding meetings all advisors and some parents will be on foot in and around the arena to ensure that all riders and horses are safe. They will help teach and guide the riders at each meeting so that they can perform their best when competing at fair.
Younger members can also get help from more experienced members. Everyone helps each other at the riding meetings and it is a good time for everyone. There are always smiles and friendship going around the club.
With thoughts of the upcoming riding meetings, President Emma Studer adjourned the last indoor meeting and demonstrations were given. This weeks demonstrations were done by Grace Jackson on Popular Horse Breeds; Holly Reedy on What to Feed Your Horse; and Ava Cundiff on English Tack.