ost children and teenagers spend their holidays ‘vegging’ out in front of the TV, playing computer games or ‘trawling’ the malls. Parents at work are bombarded with text messages asking ‘What can we eat?’ and calls asking for more spending money. When they get home the house resembles a dump, strange kids they have never met before are lounging all over their furniture, the fridge is empty and the phone bill is astronomical.

We ma-plotters have a solution…get the kids to do volunteer work at a local place they are interested in. Members of our branch spent a day at the Highveld Horse Care Unit in Randvaal during the July school holidays.

Our committee had organised a tour of the HHCU during the Christmas holidays in 2007.The visit made a huge impression on both members and parents alike. Our branch donated money in the form of a portion of the entry fees for our Fancy Dress and Utility Show, and our members gave of their time and energy. Our first ‘work party’ took place shortly after this visit and Bev Seabourne (the director) welcomed our members with open arms once again this year.

Ten Walkerville Pony Club members arrived at the HHCU at 09:30 in the morning (quite an early start for the holidays!) wearing old clothes and carrying a packed lunch to keep their strength up. Ably supervised by their Junior Instructor and squadron leaders they spent the day assisting the staff by clearing paddocks ,grooming donkeys and tidying up the second hand tack shop .They also learned a great deal about the valuable work the unit does.

Our members are proud to be able to help, as parents we are pleased that they got hands-on training in taking responsibility for their own rather large, hoofed & hairy horses and ponies!

See how you can help the Highveld Horse Care Unit by looking at their website www.horsecare.org.za , and if you would like to be as proud of your horse-loving kids as we are of ours, then find out when the next Pony Club rally is in your area by sending me a message on michelle@optionsit.co.za.