A simple motto that means so much to one local organization.
Contributed by Michelle “Shooter” Sturgeon
Free to Public Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H Horse Symposium
2/10/2018 - 10AM
Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H Horse Council
Real Life Church
10697 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer
FREE Event
The Mat-Su/Copper River District 4-H Horse Council is standing proud with our 4-H motto, “Learn by Doing”, as a group of volunteers that are passionate about equine education. Leaders within the Horse Council have been busy planning and preparing for the upcoming 2018 Alaskan Horse Symposium, which focuses on no-cost equine-related educational opportunities that are open to the public.
Horse Council volunteers spend their summers surrounded by children and horses, teaching, training, mentoring, camping, preparing and supporting our youth and families while they learn hands-on. We help parents find resources, and we help kids get answers. Many first-generation horse owners join our 4-H clubs to learn alongside their parents. We help set these families up for success.
“The best part about 4-H with horses is that it brings affordable education to the families, and the youth develop life-long friendships as they learn and grow together” - Angela Vassar
The Mat-Su/Copper River District Horse Council is an all-volunteer group of individuals with extremely diverse backgrounds. The horses owned by members of the Horse Council are equally different. At our events, you may find our volunteers with their own horses, including working horses, show horses, pleasure horses and trail horses, registered and breeding horses. We have many different uses for our horses, and we all bring a little piece of knowledge and experience with us.
“We pride ourselves in helping others gain additional knowledge of their equine friends.”
Horse Council volunteers are integrated into our communities with many different organizations and career fields. For some of us volunteers, our only common interest is horses. We plan our horse events to accommodate everyone we can, by keeping in mind the several types of horsemanship.
The horse is the center of all the educational programs year-round. We make sure that people are aware of horse health, problems to look out for, good nutritional information and care for our equine friends in one of the harshest weather climates in the United States. Horses in Alaska bring many challenges to owners, such as food supplies, vitamins and minerals needed, veterinary care, hoof care and the overall health of their animals during winter. The Horse Symposium will have many different educational elements, and participants can move from room to room and gather information as they need it. We have presentations scheduled by local equine veterinarians, farriers, horse stables, trainers and 4-H extension agents. We cover a wide range of topics for every skill level.
“The Mat-Su District Horse Council’s Horse Symposium is designed to educate you, from a basic starting point to a more advanced horsemanship, focusing on both the skills and science of equine management.” - Michelle Sturgeon.
Whether you are preparing for a career with horses, simply want to improve your equestrian knowledge for personal benefit or if you are a lifelong horse owner that just wants to come out and network with other likeminded individuals, we provide local top-notch teachers to help you and your horse. The Horse Council truly believes that the best way to educate is to give free learning opportunities.
We would like to invite the public to “Learn By Doing” by joining us at the free Horse Symposium on February 10th, 2018 at the Real-Life Church in Palmer. We start our classes at 10am, and the last class of the day beings at 1pm. The event will also have various equine-related vendors, a silent auction and food available for purchase. Please join our volunteers in making a difference in the lives of our youth and our equine friends. This is a family-friendly event.
About the Mat-Su/Copper River Horse Council:
The Mat-Su/Copper River Horse Council participates in community service projects and hosts several youth-based events throughout the year. For more information and to learn about how you can get involved or make a difference in our youth, please visit our website, www.4hHorseCouncil.com.
We believe the only way to help shape our future generations of children and to protect the lifestyles of horse ownership is to stay active and involved in the community. Mat-Su/Copper River 4-H has many other programs and areas of interest focused on youth development. Please contact your local extension office for more information.
