Tea student participates in summer horse training program

Gentle Spirit Horses Rescue & Sanctuary, located just north of Humboldt, held a summer program called “So You Think You Can Train” Rescue Horse Challenge. The program focused on nine teens, ages 13-19 and their horses, 2-3 years old. One of those teens was local Tea resident, Jessica Skoog, daughter of Pari and Debbie Skoog.

In the program, each teen was matched up with a horse to work with, learning all the starting blocks needed to get ready for an easy introduction to a saddle. The main program and goal of Gentle Spirit Horses is to find permanent homes for horses that come into their care from neglect, seizure cases and some owners that can not care for their horses due to various reasons.

The non-profit rescue relies on donations and sponsors to help with the daily costs for either feed, farrier and vet. They also offer a program for younger visitors ages 3-13 called The Bug Club.

This children’s program promotes responsible horsemanship with hands-on education to potential future horse owners and supporters.

Gentle Spirit Horses is having a “Party in the Park BBQ” August 4th where they will be featuring the “So You Think You Can Train” horses and hope to have them adopted. More information about the chance to adopt one of the horses can be found online at gentlespirithorses.com.

Jessica, a soon to be eighth grader at Tea Area, spoke fondly of the horse she worked with over the past three months.

“I am working with a sweet little two year old mustang mare named Gemini. She is very calm and friendly. She loves to be around people and other animals like horses, dogs, and cats. She loves attention so she would be great for a family with kids,” Jessica said.