Gain experience with farm animals at The Barnyard

It wasn't too long ago Northwest Ohio was dominated by agriculture and farming. Granted, both industries are thriving around the area but for some kids, being a farmer is as foreign as becoming an astronaut. This includes coming face to face with barnyard animals. There are children these days that equate an exotic animal experience as seeing a real life horse or donkey. It's the intention of the Erie MetroParks to not only dispel such a notion but promote farming with its "Just About Horses and Donkeys" event taking place Nov 5. at The Barnyard in Huron. "This is an educational program for kids or adults," said Barnyard Manager Rachel Wade. "It's just more hands because people don't have the ability to see these animals anymore." She added the Erie MetroParks has been hosting this type of event for years with varied success in attracting what she characterizes as city folk or kids looking to learn more about horses and donkeys. The instruction ranges from how the animals forage and their care to pasture rotation and how to brush them. For the horses, the kids may actually learn how to saddle them but aren't allowed to ride. "The program depends on their age group and their ability," Wade said. "An 8 year old can't understand as much as a 16 year old so it does vary on age group. The younger kids want to know what color the horses are while a teenager wants to know nutritional value. So it's catered to the age group." Those kids will get up close and personal with horses Doc and Dice and donkeys Zola and Foxy. "We keep the animals separated because of size differences," Wade said. "The donkeys are miniature. But it depends. If you have lower end horses, a donkey can take over the herd and dominate a group. It depends on each animal. We have one horse that's more aggressive that's why we don't have them together because there may be an argument." As far as other animals found at the Erie Metroparks Barnyard, Wade said the farm has three alpacas, two goats, a sheep, two pigs, chickens and a cat. Naturally when dealing with barnyard animals, one must be prepared for anything, including unexpected piles on the ground (wink-wink). That's why Wade stressed the most important part of the "Just About Horses and Donkeys" event. She laughed, "We want them to wear boots." "Just About Horses and Donkeys" is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 5 at The Barnyard, 3819 Perkins Ave., Huron (across from Osborn MetroPark). The program is for ages 8 and up. Registration required by Nov. 3. Call 419-625-7783 ext. 221 or visit eriemetroparks.org.Two horses grazing at The Barnyard in Huron/photo providedHorse gallops magestically at The Barnyard in Huron/photo providedDonkeys of The Barnyard rest after a day of horsing around/photo provided