News & Views by Kim Davis

Don't equate your self-worth with how well you do things in life...

You aren't what you DO. If you are what you do, then when you don't you aren't.
Quote From:

This issue is for the horse lovers in the crowd.  The feature article was written by my Mother, (pictured above), back in 1968.  It's a lesson plan she used when she was teaching children to ride and care for horses.

There is a seriously cool trip offered down in the Press Release section today.  http://www.reliefridersinternational.com - time is of the essence, and space is limited.  If you feel inclined to "do good works" on horseback, this trip is for you!

NOTE: If you go to http://www.extraordinary-jobs.com, you'll find yourself on a welcome page. To get to the current issue of the newsletter, follow the link at the top of the page.

Visit me on the web at my other sites:

• http://www.yachtie.net
• http://www.kpdavis.com
• http://www.sublime-design-studio.com

Imagine the best version of YOU there could be - then be that!

- Kim ;-)

Feature:

Introducing Children to Horses (Part 1)

(Copyright ) 1968 Patricia B. Cole

This outline is for riding instructors who work with beginning riders of all ages.  It was written with children in mind, but is equally pertinent when working with adults who have never had any experience around horses.

We will cover:

1. Introducing the child to the horse, (this week)
2. Leading the horse, (this week)
3. Parts of the horse, (next week)
4. Parts of the saddle & bridle, and the importance of taking care of tack, (next week)
5. Grooming the horse, (next week)

Introducing Child to Horse

Goal:  To make child familiar with the horse and unafraid of him.  To have confidence in himself, in the teacher, & in the horse.  To keep him relaxed and happy; and to make him want to come back.

BE SURE TO REMEMBER THE CHILDRENS' NAMES - NEVER TALK DOWN TO THE KIDS.  DON'T MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE BABIES.  INSTEAD TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE LITTLE GROWN-UPS.

1. Bring out a quiet, gentle horse.
2. Have someone hold the horse while you tell the children all about him.  His name, and some little thing about his personality that will please and interest them.  Draw attention to things about him; such as the silkiness of the coat and the softness of his muzzle.  Encourage the children to pat the horse on the shoulder, and to feel his muzzle.  With a timid child, you may have to put your own hand UNDER his to give him confidence.  Explain to the children that the horse uses his tail to switch away flies and that this is one reason why they always walk around the head of the horse when going to the other side.  Pick up the tail in your hand and slap it lightly on the palm of each child's hand so that the children can feel how it stings, withoug frightening them, impressing them with the importance of moving around the pony's head instead of his heels.  You may add that some horses kick, which is another reason why it is best to move around the head, but be sure to explain that the horse you are using will not do this.
3. Now explain a little about the temperament of the horse, -- how easily he is frightenend, and how quiet one must always be around him.  Point out the position of the horse's eyes, and explain that the horse can see just as well behind him as in front of him, (because horses' eyes sit on the sides of their heads), so that the rider must not do sudden things such as throwing balls up in the air when standing behind the horse.
4. Now ask if the children have any questions.  Never give them an answer that may not be correct.  If you are uncertain about the answer - tell them you have to look that up and you'll have the answer for them the next time you meet.
5. If there is any lesson time left, point out some of the parts of the horse.

This first lesson should take 15 minutes.

Leading the Horse

Goal:  To make child familiar with the horse and unafraid of him.  To give him confidence in himself, in the teacher, and in the horse.  To keep him relaxed and happy; and to make him want to come back.

1. You are going to teach the children to walk along with the horse.  Pull the reins over the horse's head and lead him yourself, take the children with you for 5 or 6 yards.  Show them how necessary it is to keep in step with the horse so that the leader does not put his food in such a position that the pony might step on it.  Explain to the children that they are not to look at the horse while they are leading, and show them that when you look back and turn your shoulders toward the horse, he stops.
2. Now have someone hold the horse while you put the children at regular intervals around you in the ring.  Each child is an "airport"; and give each one a name using places that are familiar to them:  Houston, Dallas, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Las Vegas, etc.  Select one child as the pilot to take the "airplane" (horse) from his airport to the next airport.  Let the child take the reins in his hands and you walk beside him on his left.  If the child is unusually timid, you can get between the child and the horse, but allow the child to hold onto the end of the reins.  When he reaches the next "airport", the one who has been leading the horse turns him over to the new "pilot" and becomes an "airport" again.  Keep this up, each child leading from one airport to the next, until all are familiar with the method of leading and none of them are afraid.  If the group is fairly self-confident, you may move away from the child that is leading, staying just near enough to urge the horse on should he stop.
3. This game should take about 15 minutes.
4. Now ask if the children have any questions.   (Remember:  never give an incorrect answer - if you don't know the answer tell the kids you'll look it up and tell them next time.)
5. If there is any lesson time left, point out some of the parts of the horse and bridle that he is wearing.

Press Release: 

We have designed our fifteen day Rajasthan relief adventure ride to create meaningful interactions between our travelers and local residents. At the beginning of the journey all participants, based on their life experience and skills, will be assigned certain responsibilities: helping to organize the caravan, volunteering with the medical team, and helping to facilitate the distribution of the supplies.

According to Founder and Executive Director Alexander Souri: "Relief Riders International is designed to offer individuals not only an exhilarating journey but the chance to use their skills, enthusiasm and experience to promote positive change. I know from my own travels to Rajasthan that for every gift I have given I have received gifts that have changed my life. "

Great care has been taken to conduct a relief assessment of the region, and we have designed our program after discussions with development organizations in Rajasthan in 2003 and early 2004. Our mission addresses some critical local needs: the absence of reliable medical care and information; food supplies to counter the effects of drought; and delivery of the goats to families to create on-going sustainability, and educational materials for the local schools. Guided by Relief Riders' experienced support team, we will bring 10 to 12 camels packed with relief supplies, books, and medicine.

Relief Riders International is working with the Indian Red Cross to develop an HIV/AIDS information campaign. Red Cross personnel will travel with us, distribute educational information and hold discussions in all the villages. This is the first HIV education program in the region.

In addition, we have an extensive medical program. RRI has facilitated the funding and organization of medical camps along the journey. Working with a team of Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat specialists, we will be able to treat hundreds of villagers along the way.

We will travel through areas of great natural beauty, with ancient villages and old forts, rich in culture and wildlife. As we stop along the way, we will experience and enjoy some of the region's unique cultural life, with Performances of traditional dance in Kochor and drumming in Pachar, and sample the region's culinary specialties.

With the exception of a night's stay at The Imperial Hotel in Delhi, 3 nights in forts, and a night in a haveli, a traditional Rajput Villa, our accommodations will consist of tented encampments set up by our support team along the journey route. Riders will average about three to five hours a day of riding at a comfortable pace, stopping for three meals. There will, of course, be ample water for all. In addition to our Relief Rider crew, we will have a support vehicle carrying two medics and a doctor who will accompany our ride on a parallel itinerary.

Born in New York City to a French mother and Indian father, and growing up and schooled in the US, India and France, Alexander Souri has always had a global perspective on life. He has worked in a variety of ways for the entertainment industry: producing plays in the Berkshires, on the Special Effects team for "The Matrix" and "X-Men;" directing commercials and industrial films in China; and as a Special Events producer at the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance, and Paul Allen's Millennium party in Venice, Italy.

According to RRI Executive Director, Alexander Souri: "For years, those of us who travel have known the great gift of experiencing new places, encountering new people, and seeing the world in new ways. Relief Riders International now offers travelers the opportunity to return the favor several times over. This time we will bring to those places we visit gifts that really matter."

For more information, contact Alexander Souri at:
Relief Riders International
304 Main St, Suite 3-B
Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 413.329.5876

For more details on this great adventure visit our website at:
http://www.reliefridersinternational.com

Or call us at 413.329.5876
E-mail: info@reliefridersinternational.com