Articles

WOMEN AND HORSES SEMINAR

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A seminar series that focuses on bringing women and their horses to the forefront of the equine industry. The lecturers bring noteable women from the horse industry to share, advise, and discuss on particular topics. Each seminar series posts a theme in which the speakers center around. Past seminars have included, "From Dreams to Profit" and "Health and Happiness". All seminar series are open to the public with prior registration.

Registration Information Available Soon

JOHN HENRY MEMORIAL ADOPTION FAIR

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The Kentucky Horse Council, in partnership with the Kentucky Horse Park, hosts an annual Equine Adoption Fair at the Horse Park. The event is an opportunity to connect interested adoptees, volunteers, and donors with rescue organizations in need. All equine rescue organizations are invited to attend the fair and display a booth at no cost. Proceeds from the Adoption Fair support the SoHo (Save Our Horses) Fund. Income from the event may also be available to provide additional grant funding for Kentucky equine rescue organizations.

The education department is instrumental in the planning and execution of the JHMAF by taking on the roll of registering all of the adoptable horses that will be showcased during the event. This includes contacting all of the rescue agencies, securing paperwork such as their 501(c)3 legality, insurance, and release forms, as well as collecting all health documents and traveling papers for the incoming horses. Education department staff then develop a stabling layout for the specific barns and are present on the day of the event to ensure the efficiency of both organization and horse check-in as well as the moving in of the horses.

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BLACK STALLION LITERACY PROJECT

The Black Stallion Literacy Foundation is an innovative partnership of educators, businesses, volunteers, education foundations, and staff members focused on promoting literacy through the winning combination of live horses and books by Walter Farley. The program is based on the classic books of Walter Farley and the natural connection between children and horses. BSLF is presently composed of both school-based and community programs.

The Kentucky Horse Park's involvement with the program consists of two park owned black miniature horses that travel around to local schools and libraries with a staff member delivering books to first grade aged children. This "first touch" interaction with the children gets them excited about reading and allows them to meet one of the characters from the stories. Once the children have completed their books, and the curriculum that goes along with it, they come to the horse park for a hands-on field trip to learn about grooming, leading, tacking, and general horse care. This "second touch" is very labor intensive in terms of staff as schools usually bring several classes out at a time for the activities. Several stations are set up using staff members and volunteers alike, allowing children to travel to the various stations in smaller groups, increasing their personal contact with the horses. As part of the stations, children are also able to read their favorite part of the book to one of our horses, encouraging them to enhance their out loud reading skills and their love for the book. This second trip also solidifies their interest in the horse industry as well as their love for reading.

BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS

The Kentucky Horse Park is heavily involved with local boy scout and girl scout troops in the area. The troops regularly come out to engage in hands on instruction, both on the ground and under saddle, to further the horsemanship skills of children that may not otherwise get the chance to participate in an activity such as riding. Education department staff are instrumental in curriculum writing to guarantee a well rounded program for the students. Horse park program curriculums, along with the badge requirements provided by the troops, are used to formulate a schedule for the allotted time. Education staff members help to facilitate instruction of the troops from catching, leading, and grooming, to tacking, riding, and conditioning. Troop members also engage in a range of instruction that centers on horse care, farm management, and career opportunities. The park also offers the chance for troops to earn their merit badges in several areas, and many of the troops camp in our campground as part of their experience at the Kentucky Horse Park.

KENTUCKY HORSE PARK MUSTANG TROOP

The Education Department is also responsible for the training of the Kentucky Horse Park Mustang Troop and their previously wild Mustangs. The pilot program is the model for future wild horse projects throughout the United States. The Mustang Troop teams inner-city youth chosen by the Lexington Police Activities League with wild horses from the Bureau of Land Management's "Adopt a Horse" Program.

MARE AND FOAL SHOW

This is a 20 minute presentation in which the adorable babies and their beautiful moms are brought into the barn for an up-close and personal introduction to our visitors. The presentation also offers information on pregnancy and foaling, as well as the early care of the foals. Education staff members give an extremely informative presentation, making the mare and foal show a delight to all involved

CAMP HORSE

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A program produced in partnership with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, camp horse, teams up with local area schools in the form of an essay contest. Each year, the theme for the essays change, depending on the equine industry and its ever changing face. School aged children write essays pertinent to the topic and submit to their schools. Upon selection by teachers and local equine industry leaders, students are selected to spend a day at the Kentucky Horse Park learning about horses and their care. Education department staff lead sessions in grooming, leading, tacking, horse health, feeds and feeding, and basic horsemanship. Several staff members split the children into groups and engage them in various stations relating to horse care, riding, and stable management. The children, along with the help of staff, are allowed hands-on time with the horses of the park. This program encourages children to not only improve their writing skills, but also the excitement of the equine industry that is in their backyard.

Registration Information Available Soon