FRANKLIN FURNACE — In a society where extracurricular interests sway back and forth like a pendulum, the influence a horse seems to have on people has a way of keeping them interested for years.

That passion is what members of the Lawrence County Horseman’s Association wanted to show off at its inaugural horse awareness day May 23 at the Ohio Horse Park in Franklin Furnace.

The event, sponsored in conjunction with Ohio University Southern, allowed prospective horsemen and horsewomen the opportunity to see a cornucopia of different equine disciplines from reining, dressage, saddle and hunt seat to western pleasure, barrel racing and driving.

An open breed horse show was held at the end of the day-long event that put each of those disciplines in a competitive environment.

“We waned to do something that made people aware of horses in the area,” said event organizer Kelly Adams.

Adams who also serves as LCHA president said the organization’s goal was to promote youth activities with horses and showing how horses can fit a different variety of interests.

With more than 125 members, the LCHA is one of the largest equine organizations in the Tri-State area. It is open to all breeds and disciplines.

Attendees also had the opportunity to see first hand clinics on horseshoeing with an on-site farrier, feeding, deworming a horse, nutrition and connecting with a horse.

“The best way to learn about horse is to observe them. Whether it’s one or 20 horses, observe them,” explained clinician and professional trainer Kim Seng who led a seminar on equine/human interaction.

A Chagrin Falls, Ohio resident, Seng explained that a horse is 25 times more sensitive to his surroundings than humans. She led the clinic with her two longtime assistants, Zeus, a buckskin Draft horse and Satin, a velvet-looking, black Saddlebred.

She also showed attendees the basics of the “space” that horses must respect with their handlers and how different horses might need different training methods.

“What works for one horse might not work for another horse,” Seng said. “You need a big toolbox and sometimes have to think outside of that box.”

Those wanting more information on the benefits of equine ownership or to join the Lawrence County Horseman’s Association can contact Adams at (304) 638-1740 or lchaohio@gmail.com.