Local 4-H kids learn about harness racing

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A number of Van Wert County 4-H youngsters had the chance to find out what harness racing is all about during a one-day camp on Wednesday sponsored by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation.

Ellen Taylor of the Westfield, Indiana-based organization, said approximately 11 youngsters participated in Wednesday’s program, held at the Van Wert County Fairgrounds. The camp allows youngsters age 11 and up to gain hands-on experience related to the harness racing industry.

“Ours is a one-of-a-kind program that actually gives kids hands-on experience with harness racing,” Taylor said, noting that other programs don’t provide hands-on activities. She added that the HHYF usually brings in 5-7 horses and all their related racing equipment for each camp.

Local participants learned to groom and care for the horses, harness them to sulkies, and then actually drive the sulkies with assistance from professional drivers.

Wednesday’s program also included presentations by a veterinarian and a farrier (blacksmith).

Taylor said participants in the camps have varying levels of involvement with horses, with approximately 30 percent of participants from horseracing families and the remaining 70 percent having little or no knowledge of horses.

“Van Wert is a farming community, so many kids have access (to horses), but we go places where they’re lucky if they know what green grass is,” Taylor said with a smile.

Emily Hay of the Ohio Harness Horse Association had requested that the program come to Van Wert, with hopes to establish a five-day program next year.

While the youngsters were a bit less thrilled about learning to groom and care for horses, they enjoyed being around the animals, and especially like to drive the rigs, Taylor noted.

“They’re pretty excited,” she said.

The HHYF, now in its 40th year, provides a number of youth education programs related to harness racing.

For more information about the foundation, or to support its mission, access its website at www.hhyf.org.