SAY “HAY” TO NEW FRIENDS!

BY KIM BURKHOLDER AND 1ST/2ND GRADERS

Our first and second graders are up to all kinds of fun activities! Recently they enjoyed a very cool field trip to the My Little Horse Listener therapy facility in Los Cerrillos. My Little Horse Listener is a non-profit organization where students can improve their reading skills while connecting with two miniature horses, a mini donkey and a mule. Our students found out how much fun it is to read to pint-sized equines!

Founder and Executive Director, Liz Delfs, introduced students to Mellie the mule, miniature horses Hot Dog and Thor, and Serafina, a miniature donkey. In addition to reading books to them, we learned the correct way to pet these sweet wee ones! We also learned that the animals use body language to communicate with humans.

Everyone took turns reading books to Mellie, Hot Dog, Thor, and Serafina. Students also had a chance to draw pictures of their new mini-friends and eat snacks! Here’s what students wrote about the experience:

1st Graders: On Thursday, we went on a field trip. The farm had two little horses, one little donkey, and one little mule. They communicate with their bodies and heads. Their names are Hot Dog, Serafina, Thor, and Mellie. We read to the horses. Some horses paid attention, but Hot Dog did not. Hot Dog was busy eating! We had a great time!!

2nd Graders: Last week on Thursday we went to the horse ranch. The ranch had two horses, one donkey, and one mule. They were all white or brown. They were 5 – 9 years old. We read books to the miniature horses. The horses liked our books! They were good listeners and watchers, but sometimes they tried to eat our books or us!! We thank the ranch for letting us come! We had an AWESOME time!