"Horses make a landscape look beautiful." –Alice Walker
Horses are some of the most majestic creatures on earth! Unfortunately, not all horses are well-cared for and loved.
On April 26, 1863, Henry Bergh, the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), intervened when he saw a cart driver beating his horse. The driver was arrested for horse mistreatment. Nearly 150 years later, the ASPCA launched Help a Horse Day to raise awareness about the plight of some of our equine friends.
Help a Horse Day aims to draw attention to horses needing rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption and encourages people to take action to help them.
We have 5 fun ways for your family to celebrate horses and make a difference on Help a Horse Day!
1. Start with a giggle.
Q: How long should a horse's legs be?
A: Long enough to reach the ground.
2. Learn some new words.
Many everyday words and phrases in the English language use "horse," "pony," and other horse-themed words that are only loosely associated with equines or completely unrelated. Check out our list and see if you can think of any others.
Here are some words with "horse" or "pony" or other horse-themed words:
- Horseshoes: A lawn game that involves throwing horseshoes at a staked target.
- Horsepower: A unit of measurement that describes the output of engines or motors. One horsepower is approximately 746 watts.
- Horseradish: A root vegetable used as a spice and as a condiment.
- Clotheshorse: A special frame used to hold up clothes for air drying.
- Ponytail: A hairstyle in which hair is gathered and secured at the back of the head.
- Sawhorse: A beam with a-frame legs used to support wood for sawing.
- Nightmare: A frightening or unpleasant dream.
- Hyponym: A word that gives a more specific meaning to a broader term. (Examples: A rose is a hyponym for a flower. To gaze is a hyponym for to see.)
- Neighbor: A person living next door.
3. Make your own stick horse.
When I was growing up, stick horses were a popular toy, but I haven't seen one in a store in a long time.
Our do-it-yourself tutorial is sure to be a hit! Not only is it easy to make, but most of the supplies can be recycled from your own home. Yeehaw!
4. Visit, volunteer, or donate to a local horse nonprofit.
Several nearby horse rescues and ranches offer opportunities to meet and mingle with the horses. This is an excellent opportunity for kids to see firsthand how horses are cared for and to understand the challenges they face.
- Drifter's Hearts of Hope Horse Rescue in Franktown has rescued and retired horses available for adoption by appointment. Children can practice their reading skills and spend time with a rescue horse through the Giddy Up & Read program on the first and third Sundays of each month.
- Dumb Friends League Harmony Equine Center in Franktown rehabilitates and rehomes abused and neglected horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules that have been removed from their owners by law enforcement authorities. They offer various community events, including a children's reading program called Tales for Tails.
- Promise Ranch Therapies & Recreation at Praying Hands Ranch in Parker provides Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies, including therapeutic riding lessons, wellness groups, and community events. They also offer Supported Employment and job coaching services for individuals with disabilities or neurodiversities.
- Zuma's Rescue Ranch in Littleton rescues and rehabilitates horses and other animals. They offer equine-assisted therapy programs for children and adults and fun events throughout the year.
5. Read a book about horses.
Reading books about horses is a fun way to get kids interested in Help a Horse Day. There are many wonderful books about horses, including several based on real horses! Ask your local librarian for suggestions, or try one of our favorites.
- Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
- The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
- The Horse Diaries series by Catherine Hapka
- The Island Horse by Susan Hughes
- Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry
- National Velvet by Enid Bagnold
- War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
