Saturday, 8 March 2014

Shumbashaba Reflection 2 - 20 - 14


Shumbashaba Reflection

On Thursday February 20, 2014 I experienced a wonderful learning challenge on the skills needed to put a bit and bridle on a horse.
First select the bridle for your horse. My horse was named Lucky. Be sure your horse is tied to a pole or secured with a halter. Size the bridle to your horse and ensure the sizing is correct; otherwise it will pull on the horse’s mouth. Make sure to adjust the height of the cheek straps. Place yourself next to your horse’s shoulder on the side. The reins should be in your left hand and the headstall in your right hand. Place the headstall over the horse’s head and bring the bridle under the chin to rest on its nose. Then offer your horse the bit. If he doesn’t open his mouth to accept, then put your thumb in the corner of his mouth until he opens to place the bit into his mouth. Place the headstall over your horses’ ears gently placing his ears into the loops. This might take many tries. Adjust the cheek pieces to fit your horses’ mouth. Be sure to have at least a hand width space under the throat latch, this space allows the horse to breath correctly. Check the brow band, it should fit snug. The reins should be the correct length for you horse, as it needs to allow room for the horse to stretch and move normally.
My weakness from day one working at Shumbashaba has been my inexperience on working with large animals such as horses. I had to overcome the fear of being kicked or bitten. I have adjusted well and realize that horses are unable to see their feet; thus, you must be aware of your position to the horse. Knowing this bit of knowledge, I now have the ability to control my fears by keeping a conscious thought and awareness of my position to the horse. Therefore, my strengths are coming forth through my confidence, ability to relax, and to enjoy the experience. I still know that I have many other limitations that will come with experience. I am willing to take on the challenge.
This particular experience working with horses is definitely a passion of mine. If I had to relate it to my other experiences, working at Limpopo and Afrika Tikkun; I feel this is giving me a great well-rounded volunteering curriculum. This is from helping people to helping animals. For example, when I worked with the young teenagers from Limpopo, patience is definitely key to communicating and interacting. I found this true to working with large animal as well. I must communicate with the stable men in reference to the expertise, then I am able to interact with the animals safely.
Changes that might be necessary for me in this scenario working with the horses would be to investigate some background information on horses and their care. I have researched on the Internet methods of caring for horses and found it very helpful in applying it to the real scenario.
I feel like I have resolved the conflict of my fear through knowledge and hands on experience. I am very excited and appreciative that I have this opportunity to volunteer at Shumbashaba. Also, I am extremely grateful to be under the wings of the experts guiding me to work with their gentle giants. I am committed to every Thursday happily. I really look forward to every Thursday and the knowledge and experience that I will take away form this will enhance my future career working with animals in zoology.  

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