A new venture hoping to give youth a chance at learning more about horses is now open for registration.
Empire Pony Pals, organized by Leelanau County residents Gretchen Knoblock and Michele Morris of Empire Hills Farm, said they just rescued their first two mini’s, Napoleon and Alex, in April from a downstate sanctuary called Abraham Ranch. Alex and Napoleon will head up the herd of minis for future programs that will teach youth about horsemanship in a nonriding capacity. Kids will learn all about grooming, horsecare, catch, halter and lead, and will understand horse behavior and anatomy while building relationships with the horses.
Knoblock said the venture’s objective is to provide affordable programs for youth in the county to learn about these mini’s, and hopes the program will eventually grow into a pony pals performance troupe as the herd continues to grow.
