Shumbashaba
Reflection
On Thursday, February 6 I was excited to
begin a new journey of exploration into the horse world at Shumbashaba. This
opportunity, that I am able to fulfill, definitely interests me and allows me
the hands on experience that I will need for my future career in zoology. My
strength is my compassion for animals extends beyond my own comprehension. I’ve
had a love and interest in animals since I’ve been a little girl and I set my
expectations high in caring for the welfare of animals. Volunteering at
Shumbashaba is an awesome establishment that works people and horses hand in
hand for therapeutical benefits. For me this is a match made in heaven. My
weakness is a lack of knowledge of large animals such as horses, and this
continuous activity will enable me to build upon this weakness.
My first day was a challenge but one I
was willing to take. I learned to brush and groom horses. I learned the three
tools for the basic brushing and grooming that is needed for a horse. I began
with a curry comb working in circular motions avoiding the bony regions to lift
the dirt. This was a definite learning moment for me as I didn’t realize there
was a technique to brushing horses. Then, a dandy brush was used to remove the
dirt and dust from the horse’s coat in sweeping motions. Lastly, a hoof pick
and brush was used to remove the mud on the horses hooves. This process was
very rewarding for the horse and me.
I discovered my limitations for this
particular day was that I was not wearing appropriate attire to perform the
task. However, I still did it and enjoyed it. Now I know next week to bring a
change of clothes appropriate for grooming horses. It is very difficult for me
to relate this experience to any others simply because I’ve never worked with
large animals. However, I have volunteered at a Humane Society working with
cats, and enjoyed it thoroughly. This new lesson working with horses continues
to give me the experience of being well rounded with different animal types and
I can’t wait for the next activity. I will be devoting my time every Thursday after
school.
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