Advocacy

During my time as 4-H Horse Club leader, my main goal has to get the wheels turning on a remodeling project to our county's horse barn at the fair grounds.

Currently our stalls require horses to be tied up below chest level, which is unnatural for a horse. This also does not allow them the freedom to move around and relax in the stall. The inability to move around can and usually does cause most horses to stock up, which means they have a build up of fluid in their legs from standing on concrete for so long with minimal movement.

I have been working with the fair board to bring in ideas and figure out what the next steps are. I have learned that I need to come to each meeting prepared for any and all questions. Additionally, my presentation has to be thorough and all encompassing. I also have to make sure the presentation is understandable to those that are not in the equine industry.

This is a project I am passionate about because the safety concerns with our barn have caused the number of youth that show horses in our county to decrease.

What the stalls currently look like, they have gates that horses can kick through or kids could crawl and reach through. The horses have to remain tied at all times and they have gaps in the boards between stalls.

Concept of what the stalls would look like after the remodel. There is solid fronts so no one can reach in and horses cannot kick out. The boards between stalls are solid and there is diamond shaped metal on top to reduce the risk of someone getting bit.