Mississippi State University is well known for its outstanding animal care programs and interventions. Arguably one of the most credible vet school programs in the South, all students that graduate from the program are expected to display quality education when it comes to handling animals. There are many hands-on opportunities available for both undergraduates and graduates to take advantage of many other schools are not able to offer their students. One of the more recently established programs available to students in any major is the Horse Rescue Program in West Point, Mississippi, where students may volunteer to spend time with or help care for neglected and abused horses in order to gain vet school or community service hours.
This is a fantastic and rewarding opportunity for anyone, including the horses. The vet and animal care associations on campus are still looking for new faces to volunteer. However, it has been advised students that have already or are considering venturing to the Horse Rescue Park in West Point should be more cautious when it comes to dealing with these animals. Horses are herding animals that display mostly flight behaviors and are often even easier to scare when they have been abused or neglected in the past. They are creatures of habit and learn from repetitive behavior. Any careless action from a caretaker that reminds the horse of a previous experience with an abusive owner might upset the horse. Most horses are roughly just above or under 1,000 pounds, while the average human body weight in North America is roughly 180 pounds. If a person only one-tenth of a horse’s weight upsets it in any way, it can result in fatal accidental injury to that person. It is essential anyone who volunteers for any animal care program realizes this and takes it upon themselves to act appropriately and cautiously in representation of their school and themselves, as the rescue programs have enough reliability on their hands.
If a student who knows little about horses chooses to volunteer, it will be a wonderful experience for him or her to get to know these animals. However, a student should keep precautions in mind until he or she learns more from others who have more experience with horses. Feeding the horse might be a good place to begin before approaching and petting it. Horses are very aware of body language. To a horse that might have been through a traumatic experience — as these animals have — the wrong posture could be a red flag.
The most notable injuries in history have been caused by cases in which people have not paid enough attention to animals and, regrettably, paid dearly for it. One of the most notable injuries caused by an incident involving a horse is the accident in which Christopher Reeve, the portrayal of the famous superhero himself in “Superman (1978),” did not pay close enough attention to a jump in a competition and fell forward from his horse when it refused to jump the obstacle. This resulted in a cervical spinal injury that paralyzed the former actor from the neck down.
More common accidents that occur when handling horses are the result of a horse panicking in a trailer while being loaded, a person being thrown from horseback, a horse falling on someone due to a riding accident or a horse kicking a person. If one is responsible for the care on non-domesticated animals, however, even more precautions should be enforced. Any animal is capable of causing injury to a human if provoked.
Caring for animals can be risky, but is a very rewarding experience for both the animals and the people. These animals need people to take care of them, and they will often show loyalty to those who choose to take time with them. Some animals are even known to be the best kind of therapy for people with chronic conditions, as is the case with horses and people with Down Syndrome. Opportunities like this are advantageous. However, it is the responsibility of each person to adhere to the rules of each facility and know his or her limits around any kind of animal.
