Opinion —
Volunteers at MU horse farm learn about teamwork as well as equine skills

by Kristy Tiesing, posted March 16, 2010

Teamwork is the key component to being successful in any volunteer situation. To work together, the group must delegate responsibility, compromise and maintain dedication. On the MU horse farm, there are roughly 40 student volunteers who come in shifts every morning and afternoon to feed horses, clean stalls, do quick visual health evaluations and gain a multitude of life experiences.

This is my first semester volunteering on the horse farm, and for the only time I can remember, I look forward to waking up at 6 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. Most volunteers are animal science majors who can apply the experience they get to their majors and future careers. Others, like me, are in it for the life skills and the opportunity to spend time with and learn more about the care of horses.

The equine science instructor and Horse Farm Volunteer program adviser, Marci Crosby, has implemented a set of goals for each volunteer to reach while working on the farm. Some of these include how to catch and halter a horse, release a horse in a herd setting, perform health evaluations and lead a horse from field to stall. Early mornings of scooping poop may not seem appealing to some, but for most volunteers, it is a labor of love. I know my time spent with the horses is highly valued. I came into the program with no past equine experience and enjoy learning the practical skills behind caring for the animals and the life skills of cooperation and hard work.

“I volunteer because I love being around horses and need time around horses, volunteering allows me that,” Liz Schroepfer said. “ Well, not only do I get to spend time with horses, but volunteering has taught me many things from handling horses to more advanced skill such as giving medicines and placing needles, both of which will hopefully help me in the future with a career in vet medicine.”

Regular volunteer meetings are held with different educational opportunities preceding these meetings. This semester we have learned basic grooming skills and have also had the opportunity to sit in on a farrier appointment. The next meeting will be learning to check vital signs.

“I feel the Horse Farm Volunteer (HFV) program is a great opportunity for students to gain confidence working around horses, apply their classroom knowledge to real-life situations and learn how to work within a team situation and share responsibilities,” Crosby said.

The donated time is not only benefiting the students but the university as well. In a past article dated October 23, 2009, Marci stated that you can average the volunteer hours given since the beginning of the program about 18 months ago to be about 3,000 equaling about $22,000 in labor, which is a number that will continue to increase as the program continues.

My experience at the horse farm has given me a better understanding of horses and what it really means to be dedicated. I have enjoyed getting to be around the horses and continue to gain new knowledge to be applied later in my life. You get a chance to learn how to safely interact with horses, what to look out for in their health and bond with different horses and volunteers. Besides the practical skills, my time at the horse farm has also helped me prepare a strong argument for getting a horse of my own.

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