“Giddyap and let’s ride” is not as simple or as easy as it sounds to a youngster who jumps onto his “imaginary horsie on a stick,” as 18 Boy Scouts of Troop 343 (Hauppauge) learned as they participated in earning Horsemanship merit badge earlier this month.
The youths attended the first of two parts of instruction at the home of Ben Kalinsky, a Horsemanship MB Counselor and scouting parent. It was here that they learned everything about the horse -- parts of the horse, types of horses, illness and sicknesses that horses can acquire equipment (saddles and bridles etc). Each of the scouts also groomed a horse and was able to take advantage of the opportunity to do a 5-minute practice ride. The second part of earning the merit badge was at Sweet Hills Stable (in Huntington) where everyone went on a one-hour trail ride in West Hills State Park. Said Mr. Kalinsy, “There were a few jitters going out but all smiles coming back.”
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The 18 scouts who participated and earned the Horsemanship Merit Badge were: Matty K., Kevin C., James T., Dennis C., Antanas B., Darius B., Ryan D., Nick S., Patrick S., Jack S., CJ L., Stephen N., Ryan D., Colin M., Scott P., Kevin S., Paul M., and Ian S.
