When it is done as a community service at Victory Reins! Girls Scout Troop 876 from Peotone came out to spend part of their Spring break helping us get ready for our riding season. As any horse owner knows, horses are a lot of work and upkeep. Hopefully, by the time you feed them, muck their stalls, scrub the water buckets, clean your tack, groom your horse then saddle them up, you have enough energy to ride! When Lori called me and asked if her troop could come out to help, we welcomed them with open arms.
Six girls, from Troop 876, Taylor, Rachel, Ericka, Tess, Cassie and Abby came out with Lori, Patti and Courtney with a few smaller children in tow! After introducing them to all of the critters here on the farm and feeding the carrots and apples that they brought out, we all went to work! They helped us muck stalls, scrub water buckets and cleaned just about every saddle and bridle in the barn! Lori even washed the windows in the arena.
We had various stations set up to educate the girls on proper horse care and maintenance. While they were working we discussed why we had to clean the buckets and provide fresh water and food for the horses. How important a clean dry stall is to keeping your horse healthy and happy and how much better a saddle looks without an inch of dust on it! While cleaning the tack they were educated on the various types of saddle and learned how to identify the various parts of the tack that we use. The girls we also taught the proper way to halter and lead a horse safely into the indoor arena where we turned them loose to watch them play.
Ollie our fuzzy, “look like I was swallowed by a bear” pony volunteered to let the girls learn about grooming techniques and brushes. When they were finished, our little pony was knee deep in fur and looked a little better but still beastly to say the least.
It is always amazing to me to see the transformation in people when they come to the barn. At first a little apprehensive or maybe even down right afraid, transforming right before our very eyes in to confident, smiling individuals . It is amazing what a little educating can do, Fear of the unknown, until you experience the magic of bonding with a horse. If you would have told me, that as 10 yr old I was going to do a service project scooping poop at a stable, while I was on Spring break, I would have probably raised an eyebrow or two. Most likely I would have gone because everyone else was doing it. I give these young ladies and their leader’s a lot of credit. They all came in with smiles on their faces and set about doing chores with great enthusiasm! Laughter was even heard while they went about their various chores. There is something to be said about the hearts of these young girls who sacrificed their free time helping us here at Victory Reins so that others less fortunate than they will benefit! One of the leaders actually said that she wished she would see a smile like that on her daughters face when she is cleaning their room!
The stalls were immaculate, bridles and saddles cleaned and ready to go, I’d even drink out of the water buckets they were so clean! We took a few minutes to demonstrate the various gates of the horse and answered a myriad of questions it was time for them to leave.

THANK YOU GIRL SCOUT TROOP 876! You are the best! Looking forward to your next visit!