What little girl has never wanted her own pony? The Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi got to have their own horses this week at Camp Meridale.

"Learning how to turn the horses and feed them," said Hannah Herren, age 10, of Florence.

"And water them and trot them, and how to take care of horses," said Karlie Wilcox, age 8, of Picayune.

When proper care is not given to a horse, like any animal, it suffers. Kim Blanton, the camp director, was able to show the girls the consequences of improper care.

"We talked a lot about rescue horses, and the other day we had a rescue horse that I was called in on," said Kim Blanton, camp director. "And so they got to see a really good horse that was being starved. They learned how to clean stalls. They learned how to feed a proper horse. They learned how to groom, tack up horses, wash them, give them baths. Everything about a horse, they've learned."

The rescued horse was named Meridale, after the camp. While the girls were enjoying riding horses, they also were seeing what happens when you don't care for one as you should. With Meridale, the girls got to put into practice what they had been learning all week. And although it took some time for Meridale to come around, she is starting to mend slowly.

It was obvious that the girls enjoyed not only their time in camp, but also riding the horses. Riding around the barrels was fun and exciting, especially with the prize of doing it the fastest on the line.

If you'd like to help in Meridale's recovery, or other horses that have been abused, you may donate to Coyote Hills Equine Rescue, 542 Chunky Duffee Road.