School program provides life lessons, horsing around

On Saturday mornings 24 students from Tavan and Yavapai elementary schools wake up early and forego the typical cartoons. The students arrive at Rawhide Wild West Town in north Scottsdale, team up with mentors from Scottsdale Unified School District Service Learning program and volunteer instructors for the HORSENSE program.

Each Saturday the students spend half of their time in class learning first aid, desert survival or the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco. The second half of their time is spent learning about horses. The students are fitted with a riding helmet and vest, and learn basic riding techniques.

Keeping with Scottsdale’s western heritage, Health World, a not-for-profit organization, along with Rawhide Wild West Town, The Scottsdale Charros and Trail Horse Adventures sponsor the HORSENSE program. HORSENSE is a unique program for beginner riders, which blends teachings of the equestrian disciplines with education about health and safety.

HORSENSE is currently open to SUSD Title I students ages 10 to 14, who have never been involved with horses before and do not have the financial ability to participate in the equestrian sport. This is the third six-week rotation in the program since January. The next program will start in the fall. The program will open to additional schools for the next school year.

“This is a wonderful chance to blend entertainment with education,” said Peter Rusin, executive director of Heath World. “HORSENSE is more than a horse riding program, it’s an alternative after school program which engages children in learning about respect, responsibility and character development. Students learn about basic riding, safety and care of horses, while learning skills about making better choices with our classes on drugs, alcohol and tobacco prevention,” he said.

Rusin and the Scottsdale Charros approached the Service Learning Department about a program that promoted youth choices.

“Elementary students from Tavan and Yavapai, who would not have the opportunity to learn about desert survival, drugs, alcohol and tobacco and other tough choices kids have to face on a daily basis have been participating in the program since January,” said John Baird, SUSD director of Community Schools and Service Learning. “In addition students from Arcadia, Chaparral, Coronado, Desert Mountain and Saguaro high schools are mentoring the younger elementary students along the way,” he added.

HORSENSE will host a graduation ceremony at 10 a.m. on May 22 at Rawhide’s main arena, 23023 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. The 24 spring program participants will join more than 75 Scottsdale youths who have successfully completed the HORSENSE program this year. The Scottsdale Mounted Police will perform a demonstration, Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross, past graduates and sponsors will be at the ceremony.

Health World is a locally-based organization that champions children’s safety and health by fighting against preventable causes that lead to their premature death, disabling injury and diminished quality of life. Health World has established outreach programs and collaborates with Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Law Enforcement, Scottsdale Healthcare and the City of Scottsdale. For additional information on Health World, please visit http://www.healthworldmuseum.org

For more information about the Service Learning Program, please contact John Baird at 480-484-6102.

# # #