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GLOBAL CULTURE want to ride, and then they let them free again. We had 5-year- olds and 6-year-olds riding into the horse festival, and they were some of the best riders I've ever seen. It was amazing. ey were just riding bareback." In addition, HSUS obtained a temporary license to bring a veterinarian from the mainland for the first time. "Horses got dewormed; the horses there got contracepted; all horses got basic triage if needed, and then the last part was a grooming lesson," said Loller. "ey got to learn how to use a hoof pick and how to comb out the mane and tail—really basic care we take for granted in the United States. But that's the first time they've ever had brushes. It was basically Christmas on the island for these kids." Bloomberg coordinated with horse care and tack companies Red Barn Feed and Supply, FarmVet, Beval Saddlery, C.M. Hadfield's Saddlery and Horseware Ireland, and they donated all of the grooming equipment and supplies. "A lot of the people in Vieques love their horses and want to take good care of them but don't have financial means to purchase grooming supplies or don't know how," said Bloomberg. "One young rider had a snaffle bit, but he had it over the horse's nose. He thought it was a fancy noseband, and he didn't know it went in the horse's mouth. When you showed them the right way, they were so grateful." During its first donor trip to Vieques HSUS hosted a horse fair for local young riders and owners, who learned about basic grooming and care for their horses. MEREDITH LEE/HSUS PHOTO MEREDITH LEE/HSUS PHOTO With the darting work done, the crew turned to the next phase of their trip: the horse fair, which HSUS hosted for local riders and owners to come learn more about grooming, riding and general welfare. "e owners are primarily young kids in Vieques," said Loller. "It's quite different. ey round up horses when they 98 M AY/J U N E 2 017 U N TAC K E D

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