The Emporia Gazette

May 28, 2012

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LEBO

Frank, a white horse from Winding Road Equine Rescue & Retirement just outside of Beto Junction, was truly a horse of many colors Monday afternoon as he was painted by Lebo Elementary afterschool program students following a presentation about horses.

Kristin Chambers, founder of Winding Road, had worked with the afterschool program Friday and Monday teaching students about horses. Students learned a great deal about horses, including about the rescue she runs. The Winding Road organization is non-profit and is run by volunteers. The mission statement of Winding Road is the “rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of abused, neglected and unwanted horses, as well as providing a safe sanctuary for those who are too old, infirm or injured to be re-homed.”

Chambers said Winding Road has rescued numerous horses from slaughter and from abusive and neglectful homes. Through video and oral presentations, students learned about those topics. The topic of slaughter wasn’t talked about directly because younger children were in the room. The afterschool program had grades kindergarten and up.

Before getting to paint Frank, the students were placed in “herds.” Students were scattered throughout a gym and given herds to go to. They found their herds by making animal noises assigned to the herd. The kids ran from one side of the gym to another making their way to their respective herds.

“Horses are herd animals and the herd is very important to them,” Chambers told the students.

After the students were in herds and had quieted down, students were herded into the computer lab where they discussed Frank — and the reason why Frank was very late.

“There are some sad things in rescue,” Chambers said.

Chambers said Frank is an ambassador for Winding Road and was saved from being killed. He was late because he was in a trailer that was picking up two 3-week-old foals who had been saved from slaughter as well. Their mothers had been sent to slaughter. Chambers said the foals had been living on scrambled eggs and Karo syrup.

“We hear about horses that are in trouble and try to help them,” Chambers said.

Students then watched videos about horses, including how horses helped shape America’s history.

“The horse really shaped America,” Chambers said. “The next time you see a horse tell them thank you.”

The students then watched a video on the American mustang.

“They are a symbol of freedom,” Chambers told the students.

Hannah Proehl, first-grader, commented on the horse presentation.

“It was really nice,” Hannah said. “Someday I might want one.”

Following the videos, Frank arrived to be painted with non-toxic paint, serving as a live canvas. Students eagerly lined up to paint. Some students painted hand prints. Others painted American flags. Others wrote their name. Frank lazily grazed in the grass seemingly not noticing he was gradually covered with finger paint.

Also covered in finger paint was Maddie Smith, second-grader, who said she learned a lot from the presentations.

“I learned the horses get hurt very, very easily,” Maddie said. “That not all of them are calm, and they are hard to keep calm.”

Maddie enjoyed finger painting the horse, she said.

“I thought it was pretty cool,” she said. “Just getting to touch it. It felt cool.”

As he was running back to the horse, first-grader Tyler Smith shouted what he enjoyed about horses.

“I like them,” he shouted, not even stopping long enough to say any more.

• For more information on Winding Road Horse rescue or to donate to the efforts, go to www.windingroadequinerescue.org or call (785) 733-2640 or (620) 794-7019. The rescue will have an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 6 at the Flinthills Mall. The event will include pony rides, carnival games, lunch and much more.