The Importance of the Horse
Through the efforts of fifth grade teacher Ryan Mueller, Owyhee Combined Students were treated to an assembly for Cowboy Poetry Week with presentations by Maria Lisa Eastman (poet and equine therapist) and Doug Figgs (musician and journeyman farrier) titled “The importance of the horse to western ways of life.” This was part of the 2024 Cowboy Poetry Gathering Youth Events with the overall theme of “Right Where We Belong.”
Eastman shared a poem about a horse and talked to the students about horses in general and horses on a farm or ranch. She talked about the origins of the horse and how many toes horses had in the past–fourteen. Today horses have one toe, or hoof, per leg. Eastman talked about Eohippus, Orohippus and Merychippus and their characteristics to the evolution of the horse today.
When introducing Figgs, Eastman asked the students if they knew what a farrier does and explained that a farrier is a horseshoer. Figgs asked the students who had horses, who liked to ride horses and if they knew what a palomino is. Almost 100% of the students answered yes to the first two questions but weren’t totally certain what a palomino is. Figgs explained about his palomino and then began his songs. Figgs performed his own country music and had the students sing along to “Git Along Little Doggies” (originally performed by Roy Rogers in 1940). The students sang the chorus which has evolved into “whoopee ky-yo”. Figgs had them sing parts of his original music “Just a Cowboy Like Me,” and soon had everyone singing “Ghost Riders in the Sky” (originally sung in 1961 by Neil LeVang, with other performances by Johnny Cash; the Outlaws and the Highwaymen).
Along with the poetry and singing, the final performance was interactive with selected students performing and giving visual aid to a song about cowboys, riding and roping. The gym was filled with enthusiastic performers and laughter as the audience enjoyed all the performances. Third grader Jayden said, “Look, I got his [Doug Figgs] autograph! I asked him if he was famous?” Figgs replied “Only in my own mind.”
The elementary students are fortunate to get a visit by performers from the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Myrna Hilderbrand, Para-Professional, said “It’s been four years since we’ve been able to have a visit from the Cowboy Poetry Gathering.” Thanks to Ryan Mueller for setting up the assembly and to the administration Mike Strong and Lynn Manning-John for their support.