Submitted by Kendra Roberts
The Cantering Cowpokes 4-H Club is looking for other horse-crazy kids to join their exciting group to make friends and learn about horses. Youth do not have to own or even ride a horse to participate.
[private]Riding into the new 4-H year with a display at the Berlin Free Town Library to celebrate 4-H Week, the Cantering Cowpokes shared their knowledge with the community before putting that knowledge into action on a trail ride at Kimberly Farms in Shaftsbury, VT. But that’s not all that is happening with the Cantering Cowpokes.
An upcoming Play Horse Play Day introduces Club members to exciting trail games without the requirement of a horse. While these games would typically be completed on horseback, Club members participate in the games on foot to learn trail games and include both those that own horses and those that do not.
Club members are also gearing up to attend the November Equine Affaire in Springfield, MA and are looking for additional members to participate in the Rensselaer County Three-Day Clinic, which includes a weekend of learning and riding at the Schaghticoke Fair Grounds. The Cantering Cowpokes leader, Mrs. Gutermuth will be arranging lessons on tie dying glass with fingernail polish, making macramé plant hangers, and several educational sessions on various topics, including a class on internal parasites in horses.
In addition to these larger events, the Cantering Cowpokes are brainstorming activities in which they can directly impact the community, with ideas ranging from volunteering at a local food pantry to hosting horse shows, with proceeds going to a local horse rescue facility.
Now is the ideal time to get involved. Youth interested in joining the Cantering Cowpokes are encouraged to contact Mrs. Gutermuth at (518) 658-2192. [/private]