By Gina Greco
Town of Webb Union Free School District elementary students had the opportunity to meet a miniature horse named River, when he visited the school on Monday afternoon, March 16th.
River’s owner, Victoria Brazell of Otter Lake, also has a full-grown horse named Tango.
She boards him at Moose River Farm, which is owned by Webb teacher Anne Phinney and her husband Rod.
Anne is also the author of “Finding My Way to Moose River Farm,” a book that chronicles lives of the farm’s animals.
“I bring River up there frequently to play and visit all the animals,” Victoria said.
During one visit, Anne had the idea to bring the miniature horse into the school for Parents as Reading Partners (PARP). The students would read to him as a part of the program.
River had to put on sneakers that were from Build-A-Bear Workshop, before entering the school.
He was given a visitor’s pass by Principle Swick.
“There was a purpose [to the footwear],” said owner Victoria. “The floor was too slippery for him to walk on.”
“The kids really got a kick out of his sneakers,” she said.
The students took turns reading to him from the book “Panda.”
It’s a story about a miniature therapy horse, not unlike River.
“River loved the attention from the kids,” Brazell said.
“I think he behaved beautifully; very calm. He enjoyed having the students interact with him. Fifth grader, Ashley Ludwig seemed to have a special connection with River,” Anne Phinney said. “She would have read the whole book to him.”
Victoria said she hopes to train River to be a therapy horse some day.
“I want to bring him where ever he is needed. He is perfect for it,” she said.
Additionally, the Webb students get to visit with all the Moose River Farm animals one day in June.
“It’s a special day and a special way to celebrate the end of the school year,” Phinney said.
Those wanting updates on River’s visits and his daily whereabouts, can go to his Facebook page, “Little River Man, Miniature Miracle.”
His owner, Victoria, said she is hoping River can make a visit to the local senior activities program, SHARP, in the near future.