OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company was buzzing with activity, but there wasn’t a thoroughbred auction taking place.
A sea of fourth graders and their parents were on the grounds to learn about horses and the equine industry as part of the Ocala Horse Alliance’s and Marion County Public Schools’ Black Stallion Reading Program promoting literacy.
“Our goal has been to inspire children to read, and to learn about the horses a little bit. Many children in Marion County don’t get to touch a horse, so we wanted to change that through the reading program and the Ocala Horse Alliance,” said Lynn Boutte, Ocala Horse Alliance board member and thoroughbred trainer. “We’re able to do that through our Black Stallion project.”
As Winston Churchill so aptly stated, “There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.”
“We had a couple of kids who came in here with chips on their shoulder,” said Boutte. “And by the time they left, they were smiling. If that doesn’t do your heart good. And some parents, they weren’t really happy to be here, and then they touched a horse.”…