Imagine sitting in a school classroom, working on your long division like a diligent student, when all of a sudden a gigantic green rubber ball comes rolling right at you. Do you remember to carry the one and keep going with the arithmetic, or do you drop the pencil and run screaming toward the exit?
Well, the first time it happens, running and screaming might indeed be the wise course of action, which is how the horses at Best Friends tend to react the first time they see the large green training ball. But then they start to realize the ball is not only safe, it’s pretty darn fun! Way better than trying to remember the order of operations in algebra, anyway.
This ball is used as a tool to help the horses gain confidence. If a horse can handle hanging out with a gigantic rolling sphere, odds are the little things in life aren’t going to faze him nearly as much. Besides, the horses even reach a point where the ball becomes a toy. They’ll nudge it around the pasture and everything.
There’s only one problem with using a rubber ball of any sort at Best Friends: nasty little weeds commonly referred to as goatheads. These razor-sharp little plants can puncture car tires on a bad day, and it’s nearly impossible to get rid of them all. A rubber ball doesn’t stand a chance. The last one popped.
At that point, somebody wanted to help out. After all, no horse should have to live long without such a magnificent toy! Richard Anderson, a volunteer ambassador (a regular volunteer who helps other volunteers) at Best Friends, thought he’d try patching up some of the holes in the ball. He did so, then left the ball in one of the equipment sheds to see if it would continue to hold air. This was back when the weather was still warm.
The next time Richard checked on the status of the ball, he couldn’t find it, but he did find little pieces of rubber shrapnel all over. Heat and air pressure don’t mix well, but he sure patched up those holes! However, Richard felt bad the horses still didn’t have their toy, so he bought them a new one as a present. Nowadays the horses are having a great time once again. And if they all become confident enough around the thing, let’s just say a few midnight soccer games may start taking place on the sly when the people are all gone for the night.
Story by David Dickson
Photos by Molly Wald
Interested in other items desired at the sanctuary? Please check out the Best Friends wish list.
