Horseplay encouraged (10/19/07)

When Ed Paxson walked into the classroom on the first day of school, there was no curriculum to follow and there were no textbooks to read.

He was faced with 31 sets of eyes staring back at him. Behind the eyes was an eclectic mix of a student council president, some academic scholars and a student with a learning disability. Some had been riding horses since they were six months old. Others had never been in a stable.

Paxson found out he got the job just two days before school started. The man who retired four years ago after teaching vocational education for 34 years, had never taught a class on horses. Regardless, he had to teach them something. So, the horse and pony owner told them what he knew. And then he asked for a little help.

Paxson is teaching the inaugural equine science class at Jay County High School. He just recently got textbooks and formed a curriculum. Before that, a handful of his students helped teach the class.

The students first learned about equine safety, then horse breeds. After the textbooks came in, they began to learn about the physiology of horses, such as digestive and reproductive systems. Several of the students have given presentations about what they know about horses, such as what equipment is used in riding and caring for the animals.

"These kids are sharp ... very computer literate," Paxson said, adding that some students have made presentations through computers. "I like the fact that (the class) is relevant - teaching things the kids are interested in."

"I like everything about (the class)," said junior Elizabeth Caylor. "I just like being in class because I have horses." Caylor has been around horses and ponies since she was a baby.

This is by no means a typical class. On a day when other students were likely scribbling notes from an overhead projector and memorizing study guides, these teen-agers were decked out in cowboy boots - racing around barrels and trimming a pony. On Thursday, the students held a Horse-O-Rama event at Bearcreek Farms. More than half the class members brought their horses and demonstrated pole racing, roping, and Western and English riding,

"They've been learning from each other," Paxson said. Out in the real world, these students form their own little cliques, he said. The kids have social groups for certain horse breeds and horse activities. "Everybody has their own little corner out at the fairgrounds" during the fair, he said.

On Thursday, though, none of that mattered. Western and English lovers, drivers, ropers, racers and those wishing they had horses all gathered to gaze at the majestic creatures. They were there for one reason, and one reason only - their love of horses.

"Horses are my favorite animal so it's just something that interests me," junior Julie Snyder said on why she joined the class. "I wanted to be more involved with horses."

"Horses are part of my life," Caylor said is the reason why she enrolled in the class. "I want to be a vet or veterinary assistant,"

Snyder and Caylor are just two of the students who have been helping teach their classmates more about horses. Both brought their horses on Thursday.

"I like teaching," Caylor said. "I want to help handicapped kids when I get older."

Some of the students have never owned or cared for a horse.

Haley Schroeder, a sophomore who recently moved to Jay County from Washington, said she has only ridden a friend's horse. "I like that it's all horses. It'd be nice if we had something like this again," she said, referring to Thursday's event. Schroeder said she also is interested in becoming a veterinarian.

Sophomore Jacob Chenoweth admitted that he'd never had an interest in horses before he took the class. He said he's "kind of" interested now.

Chenoweth said he is considering taking the class again next year if it offered. His classmate, Blake Stout, a junior who has ridden horses in 4-H for 10 years, said he likely will take the class again.

Paxson said he expects the class to be on many students' schedules next year.[[In-content Ad]]