‘Horses 101’ gets big response
By GEORGE W. GEDONArticle Photos
As a lover of horses I was intrigued by a newspaper article about an upcoming Horses 101 Workshop, so I spent a Sunday afternoon at the Woodridge Farm horse corral in Upper Fairfield Township talking with and observing as nine would-be cowgirls attended the workshop, under the direction of Linda Lee-Bower.
This was first of a number of sessions designed for women interested in learning about the care and management of horses. It dealt primarily with horse safety, grooming of horses, horse handling, and riding styles. No actual riding was involved.
The workshops are the brain-child of Lee-Bower, who when she isn’t with her horses, is a veterinarian technician with the Animal and Avian Hospital in Loyalsock Township. She said that within hours of the story appearing, her phone rang “off the hook” with women wanting to register for the courses.
Lee-Bower explained that workshops such as hers can help build both self-confidence and self-esteem as the women build the female-horse relationship.
Lee-Bower’s experience with horses began as a youngster, cleaning horse stalls in exchange for riding lessons. Over the years she has boarded horses and competed in numerous Hunter and Quarter Horse competitions. She said she has always dreamed of having a farm where she could board and train her beloved animals. Today, she and husband Kenneth Jr. have a farm and four horses. They also board eight others.
Assisting her is Dee Balliett of Muncy Hills, who also admits to suffering from equestrian-itis. She and her husband, Jim, operate a 42-acre farm where she has three horses, a rescue horse, an Arabian mare and a Tennessee Walker. However, it was her fear of riding the Arabian and a chance meeting with Lee-Bower that brought the two together in their present venture.
The first workshop group consisted of women of varied ages and representing a potpourri of backgrounds.
Carole Pfirman of Nisbet said she wanted to become “comfortable around horses.” She cited an experience when, as a youngster, she was on a supposedly “nice quiet” horse, when something startled the animal and “it took off with me hanging on for dear life.” She said that from that time, “although I loved horses, I had a certain fear. I hope to overcome that here.”
Celia Bower of Montoursville, who works for Susquehanna Home Health Care, has some riding experience having done some trail riding. “My goal,” she said, “is to have my own horse and possibly more.”
Teresa Erb of Milton, a former teacher, said she was raised with horses but later in life moved to Virginia. She said, “I’ve always thought they were fantastic creatures. When I returned to Pennsylvania I made up my mind to rebuild that relationship,” adding, “I think horses are a great outlet.”
Then there’s Melissa Leidhecker, a veterinarian technician from Montoursville, who said she has always dealt with small animals in her line of work and wanted to get the experience of dealing with larger species.
Santa Claus played a role in Debra Rarig’s love of horses. Debra, who lives in Montandan, grew up on a farm and always wanted a horse. “Each year, as a child, I put it on my Christmas list.” She noted she finally got her wish in the form of a pony. She now owns a two-stall horse barn.
Jan Brunette of South Williamsport a retired Loyalsock elementary teacher, said she rode during her pre-teen years when her grandmother ran a boarding house for cowboys in New York state, but got away from it as obligations changed. “I’ve always loved horses and have wanted to get back to them in some fashion,” she said. She noted that her husband, a golfer, isn’t too interested in horses, but did agree they may eventually buy a horse.
As if she isn’t busy enough as a stay-at-home mom with two youngsters and a house to manage, Nichole Busch of Jersey Shore declared, “I love horses,” explaining that in earlier years she attended a boarding school that had horses. “I developed a love for them and it changed my life — it took me from a bad place to a good place and I developed a passion to learn more about the animals.”
Mary Bellizia-Way of Cogan Station began collecting horse photos and memorabilia as a child. She also did some riding “years ago,” she said. “For some time I’ve wanted to start riding again but now I want to start at the beginning and learn the proper way to both ride and handle the horse.”
Also a major player in Lee-Bower,s program is Marilyn Geib of Watsontown, who has had a varied relationship with horses and although having sustained a horse related injury is the owner of Daisy, a 27-year-old Tennessee Walker whom she refers to as “my heart’s desire.”
Most of the women said they had ridden in earlier years. Some admitted that although they love horses, they also had a slight fear, due in large part to the size of the animals.
After exchanging brief notes on each others horse-related background, the ladies were introduced to Daisy and to Sweeten, a quarter horse.
Lee-Bower quickly had the gals grooming (brushing) the horses and cleaning the hoofs as she explained the importance of proper animal care. As might be expected, some went at it quite confidently while others took a more timid approach — as one remarked, “I was afraid I would hurt the horse.”
Next came a hands-on session leading the horses around the corral and the use of body language to communicate with the animal. Lee-Bower explained that horses have an innate sense to respond to body movements of the rider. “Sometimes it seems the horses know what do before you do,” she said. It was surprising how quickly and confidently the would-be cowgirls managed this phase of the program.
As the class drew to a close, the gals retired to the snack table where Lee-Bower showed and explained the different types of saddles — Western and English.
In summing up the session, the gals agreed they all learned something new about horse management. A few appeared anxious to ride a horse while others indicated they wanted more time to become familiar with handling the animals while having both feet on the ground.
Lee-Bower said was pleased with the way the first group took to absorbing the information and working with the animals. The group will meet again in November for more advanced work. In the interim, she has two more groups set for a workshop. All, she added, eventually will have the opportunity to ride — which, she said, is the goal of most people who deal with horses. Anyone interested in attending a session can call Woodridge Farm.
