Bex+L.



Bex L. Student Reflections;

Hi, my name is Bex and this is my second year in the Animal Care/Stables community service. Through these past couple years of community service I have really improved with handling animals, especially horses. I think my time at Northwestern Stables has granted me much knowledge that will be very useful in life; never will I be faced with a horse rampaging around and feel at a loss at what to do. Never will I underestimate a horse. These things will serve me well in the years to come in my life.

In all seriousness, I really have become better at handling animals. I've always felt as if I have a certain affinity for animals, and I am thankful to have such a good outlet for my passion for animals. All my life, I've been surrounded by animals, from dogs to cats to rabbits and hamsters. I've always loved horses, but I hadn't been able to work with them without having to take riding lessons a million miles away in years until I joined this community service. In the past couple years I have gained so much courage in handling and working with the horses, and I've gotten truly comfortable around them.

I think my favorite part of the community service would be Sammy, the grumpy old man pony. I love Sammy. He is so pretty and has a longer, beautiful coat. Sammy is the kind of horse who has so much personality not many people want to put up with him. No matter if it's biting at your butt while you're trying to pick his hooves, or nipping at your shoulder because the curry comb is tickling him, Sammy the grumpy pony always adds a bit of sunshine to the bleary day. It takes something special to love a horse like Sammy, because he can be a real brat, but I think that's just because he's the kind of pony you can't take at face value. So many people assume that if animals are grumpy then they're mean spirited. I don't think that's true and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that my experience at Northwestern stables wouldn't be the same without sweet, grumpy Sammy.