HOW YOU CAN HELP THE ABACO BARB HORSES

When members of the Salmon Model Horse 4-H Club decided to do something to help the Abaco Barbs, the first initial reaction was, "What can we do, we're only kids?"

But after more additional thought, the group decided upon a letter campaign strategy. They began by writing letters to Breyer®, a model horse manufacturer, to see if they would be interested in making an Abaco Barb model to add to their already popular line of plastic ponies. Breyer's reply was an enthusiastic "Yes!" and suddenly the Capella model was born, making its debut in January 2005. Since then, the club has received numerous inquiries from youth across the country as to how they too, could help the horses. So once again, members from the Salmon Model Horse 4-H Club came together for another brain storming session, coming up with suggestions listed below to give both individuals and youth groups ideas for various fund-raising activities.

Some really simple ideas would be to purchase a Breyer Capella model then selling raffle tickets for it; collecting and recycling aluminum cans; getting local horse businesses to donate items like brushes or horse treats and then creating a horsie gift basket with those items and raffling it off; or likewise, holding car and horse trailer washes often generate funds as well. If you have a really fun and active group, consider having a stickhorse play day. Base them on real horse events like barrel racing, jumping and trail classes, but only do it with run of the mill every day stick horses. For even more added fun, you can hold a stickhorse trail class speed race. This can be done during lunch at a horse show or other event. Divide contestants into teams and challenge them to race against one other. Instruct each team to raise funds from their sponsors in order to compete. Make it silly and fun by creating tunnel obstacles for contestants to have to crawl through. It's a special hoot if you can get the adults to partake in this. Challenge your leaders, County Agent, Mayor, firemen and policemen. Charge a team entry fee and small spectator's fee and be sure to award a special trophy to contestants at the end. It can be something as simple as a gold horseshoe with a message printed on it. There are all kinds of creative things you can come up with.

While funds for the horses are important, realize that it's not the only way youths can help. Another way is through teaching. Educate people about the Abaco Barb breed, history, and current plight. This can be done in a number of ways. For instance, one club member did a report on the Abaco Barbs for her English project, later turning the report into an illustrated speech to be presented during the Lemhi County Fair 4-H Speech and Demonstration Contest. Another youngster spoke about the horses at his Boy Scout meeting. The first step in promoting the Abaco Barbs is to visit the Arkwild website at www.arkwild.org and learn as much as you can about the horses. Next, check out the list of suggestions at the end of this article to see if there's an project idea you'd be interested in doing. It's that simple.

We'd love to hear from anyone doing a fund-raising project or any other type of promotion for the Abaco Barbs. It would be fun and helpful to share ideas with other youths. Who knows, maybe you have an great idea that could be added to the list! If so, please e-mail us about it at [email protected].

When you finish your fundraising project, please print and fill out a Fundraiser Report, and then send the form along with a check or money order for the full amount payable to "Arkwild, Inc.," to the following address:

Arkwild, Inc.
2829 Bird Ave.
Ste 5, PMB #170
Miami, FL 33133

For folks in the Bahamas, please send checks directly to W.H.O.A., at:

WHOA (Wild Horses of Abaco Preservation Society)
PO Box AB20979
Marsh Harbour
Abaco, BAHAMAS

UPDATE:

This coming February 2007, Horse Illustrated will be featuring an in-depth article on the Abaco Barbs, with the blessing of the Equus Survival Trust organization, who recently added the breed to their list of critically endangered species under the umbrella classification of "Colonial Spanish." These are horses whose genetic makeup shows them to be directly descended from stock introduced during the colonization of the Americas primarily through the Conquistadors of Spain some 400+ years ago. Foundation stock was heavily Iberian. These include Feral, Native American & Rancher strains of Spanish Mustang, Florida Cracker, Banker Pony, and Marsh Tackie among others.

The Equus Survival Trust is an educational non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the genetic diversity of equine breeds (horses, ponies and donkeys) now threatened with extinction by engaging in collective conservation efforts, educational promotions, and by supporting the network of like-minded breeders, rare breed equine associations, and enthusiasts around the globe, with special emphasis on North America and breeds unique to North America. The Trust�s main thrust is to market grassroots education as it relates to rare breed conservation, in the form of creating or compiling new and existing resources, and organizing or supporting exhibitions, clinics and lectures, with an aggressive presence in the media.

According to Arkwild, their most current pressing need is to raise funds in the neighborhood of $500 towards the purchase of a special sonogram machine so they can preg check the Abaco mares in 2007 without the need & expense of restraints or tranquilizers (as the horses are still wild).

How about it, youth of America? Sounds like a fun challenge! As further incentive, an original finish Peter Stone ISH (Ideal Stock Horse) has been pledged to the Salmon Model Horse 4-H Club to be awarded in a special drawing from a list of names of youth who helps fundraise towards the special 2007 Abaco Barb Sonogram Fund Challenge.

Here now is our list of Group/Individual Fundraising Suggestions:

Sell candy bars or calendars
Sell baked potatoes
Sell concessions at an event
Photo or Art show
Bake sale
Craft sale
Plant sale
Yard or garage sale
Lemonade stand
Serve a lunch - hot dogs or sandwiches
Car wash
Sponsor a walk or ride-a-thon

Do odd jobs:
Baby sit
Pet sit
Dog walk
Rake leaves
Set out donation cans
Recycle aluminum cans or newspapers
Host a Pet show
Take pet pictures for holidays
Host a Model horse LIVE show
Host a Model horse PHOTO show
Raffle off models or goodie baskets
Make and sell model horse tack

Host a Mini Carnival:
Cake walk
Paint faces
Pony rides
Petting zoo

For Horse clubs:
Horse shows
Poker rides
Ride-A-thons
Trail rides
Wash horse trailers
Braid manes & tails at shows

Promotional ideas:
Give a speech or demonstration
Talk to your friends about the horses
Design and hang posters
Speak to other youth groups
Use the Capella model to make a display for your school or community library
Make a display for the county or state fair
Do a science fair project about the horses
Write articles for papers and club newsletters
Do something about the horses for an English, History or Geography class

Respectfully submitted,
Susan Dudasik
Shadow Rider Equine News
[email protected]
Member: Idaho Press Club
North American Saddle Mule Association
Idaho Representative for American Trail Horse Association

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