Animals say so much without words – and there are people who will help a human learn how to listen to them. Simply being around horses can change lives and forge connections from one living thing to another. That work – especially with young people – can ripple out with far-reaching benefits.

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard is an all-volunteer state militia unit, originally formed to attend and escort the Governor. As an active Cavalry Unit, it serves the Governor and the State at the direction of the Connecticut Army National Guard. Though not on the 2013 AYHC tour, the unit is a shining example of horses and humans working together – headquartered in Newtown, Connecticut.

The American Youth Horse Council (AYHC) headquartered in New Mexico hosts a symposium for the equine industry working with young people, April 12 to April 14, this year in Connecticut. States that have hosted the symposium in past years include Virginia, Michigan, Kentucky, Colorado.

“When kids work with horses they learn responsibility and to be good citizens. They learn to care, are more empathetic, find connections. That's crucial and important as in this world and particularly this state, as we've all seen what non-connected does,” said Emily McCabe Alger, Connecticut's 4-H Equine State Program Coordinator. “We should celebrate the opportunity to recognize the horse industry in the Northeast – and what our state in particular brings to it.”

AYHC Board of Directors: Karen Waite, president, Michigan State University; Jenifer Nadeau, vice president, University of Connecticut; Meg Sax, treasurer, Minnesota 4-H; Kristen Wilson, secretary, Maryland. Board Members: Stella Almeida, New Jersey 4-H Horse Project Advisory Council; Candi Bothum, Oregon State University; Rebecca Bott, South Dakota State University; Todd Branson, American Quarter Horse Youth Association; Celeste Crisman, Virginia Tech; Debra Hagstrom, University of Illinois; Jennifer Hancock, Mustang Heritage Foundation; Cecelia Harshfield, Nebraska 4-H Leader; Amy Lawyer, University of Kentucky; Debbie Manring, Ohio 4-H; Shianne Megel, National Reining Horse Association; Beth Powers, YMCA Camp Willson; Liv Sandberg, University of Wisconsin; Jason Turner, U.S. Trotting Association.

Geared for kids 12 to 19 and the adults who guide them, this is a leadership event with hands-on activities at the University of Connecticut, with exposure to the facilities, teams, and programs on site.

“We're really excited since the event has never been held in Connecticut before,” said Danette McGuire, executive director of AYHC of New Mexico.

Danette McGuire, AYHC.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the diversity of the horse industry and how extensive it is in the state.”

McGuire, who has served previously as director of youth programs for the National Cutting Horse Association and as State 4-H Activities Specialist in New Mexico, says “having youth development experience at the county, state and national levels, I understand and applaud the valuable work our members do every day.”

All-day tours start Friday, a world-class field trip opportunity for attendees to meet owners, managers, pros – face to face on their home turf.

•“Olympic Tour” • Lionshare Farm in Greenwich (home of Olympic rider Peter Leone), High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center of Old Lyme (a premier PATH therapeutic riding center offering riding, driving, and a sensory trail), and Whitney Ridge LLC of Higganum (specializing in training and showing American Quarter Horses, a “Horse Farm of Environmental Distinction”).

Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, UConn.

The 36th Annual American Youth Horse Council Symposium is hosted by University of Connecticut, Departments of Animal Science & Extension in Storrs, with Hartford/Windstor Marriott Airport as host hotel for the event.

• “Military and Medical” • Candlewood Equine, Bridgewater, (ambulatory veterinary services and reproduction clinic), First Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Avon, (the oldest continuously mounted calvary unit in the U.S.), and River Meadow Farm LLC (equine rehabilitation center).

• “Seahorses” • Mystic Seaport (Museum of America and the Sea, a living history museum with 17 acres of exhibits; special highlight Allegra Farm, horse-drawn carriage rides); Mystic Aquarium (home of famed ocean explorer Dr. Robert Ballard and his Institute for Exploration), Olde Mistick Village.

“On Saturday youth and leaders can learn about topics that include riding and horse knowledge, aspects of equine health, horseshoeing, cowboy leadership. Then it's on to Horsebarn Hill Arena for hands-on demos and horse-related tasks, plus games where points won can add up to cash prizes,” said Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, UConn associate professor/equine extension specialist, who has worked with horses since the age of 8. Nadeau rides, teaches, has trained and driven draft horses, and has worked at a trail riding facility, as manager of a hunter/jumper facility, at a veterinarian's horse and sheep farm; Thoroughbred breeding farm, and therapeutic riding programs. A council member since 2001, Nadeau notes that on Saturday a showcase of the UConn Morgan breeding program will also feature demonstrations by the various equine teams.

“Youth can drive a UConn Morgan and adults can bid for the opportunity for that same experience. There will be a banquet with a keynote speaker and later a dance for the youth involved in the program. Sunday's breakfast features a keynote speaker on leadership and we wrap it all up after noon.”

“We have people who take recreation and professional showing to the top of the game with all different breeds – while UConn breeds Morgans, the ownership across the state is quite diverse and there is such a variety of disciplines – hunters, jumpers, Western quarter horses who compete nationally, combined driving and eventing; excellent draft horse people with plow competition and shows – all just amazing. So there will be a smorgasbord of everything equine, plus the input of the AYHC board of directors who work at the national level, along with presenters from Alaska and Oregon and other states to help with the dissemination of information,” said Emily Alger whose office at the Middlesex County Extension Agency is a hub of activity for the Connecticut 4-H horse program as she works with volunteers across the state who work with the national effort to produce this conference.

“Building a relationship with an animal is very rewarding in many respects . . . The sometimes-unpredictable nature of animals and situations also creates a real-life environment in which a student can confront his or her fears, and adjust to situations beyond their control.”

– Wikipedia, Therapeutic Riding

Resource: For details, visit www.ayhc.com. AYHC leadership and resources work together to serve and promote the youth horse industry – all breeds and all disciplines.

Three blonds. Norwegian Fjord horse, two humans.