“Squash is my favorite horse ever. I have many memories about h im and me. He is fun to be with and fun to work with. I LOVE him and I will miss him! I want to come back and ride him next year. I LOVE coming here!”
Every Friday this summer the boys and girls who attended Giddy-up and Grow, wrote stories about their experiences that week. All elementary and middle school students, they came from nine to two each weekday to learn about horse care and horseback riding, growing and tending – and picking and eating — vegetables, caring for hens. They read horse stories , each with a volunteer, and finally wrote about their personal highlights in their journals.
Dylan wrote: “ I learned about saddles and how to put them on the horses. I learned about different kinds of saddles. And all about the horses. I love them!”
Another boy described salad day, which was Wednesday: “After we weeded the vegetable garden, we picked lots of vegetables – lettuce and kale and cucumbers and some other stuff and took it back for lunch. Then we made salad and ATE it ! I didn’t used to eat salad but this was very crunchy and good.”
The large collection of horse books for all reading levels provided inspiration for imaginative stories the children wrote:
“…I was riding through a stream on my horse, Bubbles, when I was attacked by giant fish. Some people thought it was a crocodile but I know its real identity was an electric eel. I got off and dragged it out of the water and rescued my horse….”
And Ingrid wrote: “Once upon a time there lived a beautiful mare named Rose who lived with a herd of wild horse. But Rose wanted a stallion to love her not just because she was beautiful but because she was kind….”
Learning how to tack and groom the horses, all about what they eat, what scares them, what they like, searching for eggs and taking one home, going on scavenger hunts, making vegetable animals and every Friday baking many little loaves of zucchini bread. All these children were giddy-uping and growing – and having a great time.
“ Dear Nick, Thank you for standing by my side all week. I am so glad you were my horse and put up with me. I bet it was frustrating!! But you are a brave horse, the greatest I have ever known. I wish you good luck and happy rides to the end of your days. I will miss you very much. I will not forget you. I hope I can come back next year! I learned so much! Your favorite rider, Elias”