From the American Miniature Horse Association
Tiny Hooves Leave a BIG Impression
A 28 1/2 inch tall miniature horse visited some troubled hearts and b
rought some warm smiles to the faces of the incarcerated youth at The Youth Leadership Academy and
the Rio Contiguo facilities. Both programs serve as temporary homes for wards of the court. The programs are operated by the Orange County Probation Department with the
educational component provided by the ACCESS division of the Orange County Department of Education. Barbie, registered as Bickels Ebony Ice, is a black and white pinto mare.She and her human, Barbara Brown, visited the youth the summer of 2009.
The little horse shared her repertoire of tricks, some of whichwere counting with her hoof, pushing a stroller with a stuffed horse in it, posing on a pedestal, jumping up to kiss her
human, moving her lips to simulate singing into a microphone, smiling, rearing on command to press her knee to her handler’s fist-a show of “knuckles”, kneeling down to say her prayers, taking a cloth bandage from the handler’s pocket,and doing the conga with a spunky kick. The visit was part of the school’s enrichment and awareness program.
The pint-sized horse seemed to beam as the youth took turns petting her and checking her out while asking questions about her. They commented about how calm and cool she
was; how beautiful and smart she was; how soft and clean her hair coat was; and how long her mane was. They questioned about her training, her feed, her life expectancy, the
cost of her care and maintenance, and how soon she was coming back for another visit.
Barbie is a nationally registered Delta Society therapy animal. In that role she visits hospitals, senior housing and care facilities and more, so she was comfortable visiting the teenagers. The young peoplelearned some animal husbandry basics from the visit and the presentation, the value and pleasure of a meaningful relationship between man and animal, and the benefit of kindness and patience in working with animals. No
doubt, the horse enjoyed being petted by attentive youth and getting acquainted with them at the Probation Department facility. Their comments made it clear her visit took their minds off of their personal issues, and warmed their hearts as only a visit from a Miniature horse can do.
Handsome the Miniature Horse Rings a Bell for the Salvation Army
Collecting donations during the Christmas season is serious business for the
Salvation Army. Donations dropped into the familiar red kettles help the
faith-based organization help the needy year-round. But for one Salvation Army
Bellringer, it’s all horseplay. Peggy Hogan, from Carpinteria, California, volunteers
her time each year to help fill a kettle with a most unique sidekick, a Miniature
horse she calls Handsome. A D Remarkably Handsome is a talented trick horse
with a multitude of antics he performs at a moment’s notice to entertain the
many passerby’s.
The 7-year-old gelding dances, shakes hands and can Spanish walk on cue.
Handsome is one of four minis that Peggy owns. He can also honk a horn, lie down
and dunk a basketball, albeit through a less-than-regulation-height hoop. And
maybe his favorite trick of all… Handsome can ring a bell. This is Peggy and
Handsomes forth year to volunteer for the Salvation Army.
Handsome has been trained specifically by Peggy who follows the guidance
of B.F Skinner’s behavioral training. The horse’s behavior is reinforced by way of a
hand-held clicker she cues with and when the trick or behavior is performed, a treat is given. “It’s how they train Shamu and the other killer whales at Sea World,” said Ms. Hogan.
“You can’t make Shamu jump through a hoop; Shamu jumps because he wants to. That
training, or positive reinforcement, is what I do. They earn their reward doing something
that I’m teaching them to do by continually rewarding their efforts. Clicker training, says
Ms. Hogan, takes horse whispering to a different level.”
Whether she takes Handsome on a walk in the neighborhood or appears with the horse at
an expo, they draw a crowd. And when it’s bell-ringing time, people can’t help but give to
the cause. “The people’s faces just light up when they see him. He is a great ambassador
for the Miniature horse breed. He is very well mannered and loves the attention he receives from the store patrons. Hopefully people will put a little extra money in the bucket just because Handsome is so darn cute.” Peggy says.
