Miniature horses help teach Hamilton students anti-bullying message

Miniature horses from Ross Twp. teamed up with the Hamilton Police Department on Friday to teach bullying prevention to students at Riverview Elementary.

Three tiny therapy horses form Seven Oaks Farm in Ross Twp. waited patiently to make their appearance as Lisa Moad, farm owner, and Hamilton Police Officer Kristy Collins told the third-graders to “Just Say Whoa to Bullying.”

The message may also have been more important this week after a 9-year-old Middletown student allegedly brought a loaded gun to school because he was being picked on, police said.

MORE: Middletown boy, 9, in juvenile detention after bringing gun to school

Collins quizzed the students about physical bullying and social media bullying, letting them know it was the right thing to do to tell a teacher or parent if someone bullies them or a friend.

Collins said the police department teamed up with Seven Oaks Farm to present the program to third-graders in the entire district.

“It is a good age. They understand it, but it is before we see some of the hard core bullying starting,” Collins said.

Riverview Elementary Principal Josh Margerum said the students do remember the message and repeat some of the phrases they are taught.

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The program teaches everyone is different and has something valuable to offer. They learn acceptance, tolerance, respect and understanding of other.

One student Friday help up a large sign with the word “WHOA” and it’s meaning — “We Help One Another.”

The students enthusiastically participated in Friday’s program, but the true stars of the show were tiny ponies Toby Keith, Buck Owens and Patches, who has only one eye.

None of the children — or the horses — shied away from the petting session. Teachers and students alike showered the patient horses with attention and asked Moad questions about them.

Moad told them the horses could sense their mood by their heart beat.

“If you are calm they can sense it,” she told them.

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