Horseplay OK at NIC

Horses frisked about the arena in the chill air. The rider’s cheeks and noses blushed a rosy shade of pink from being active in the brisk temperature. The atmosphere exuded energy and focus.

This is what Marian Crumb’s equestrian P.E. class for North Idaho College consists of on a weekly basis during the fall semester. Horses of all age, color, and size were paired up with their eager riders.

The arena was scattered with various obstacles and other paraphernalia that the students rode around, through or over while Crumb gave directions and advice to individuals as she saw fit. “Don’t let him do that!” “He needs to tire out more before you get on.” “Nice stop!”

“I like the students’ interest in horses and their want to learn how to ride them correctly,” said Crumb about teaching North Idaho College riders. Crumb grew up on a farm with horses and has been around them all her life.

“I am 83 years old now and proud of it!” she says, “It is a milestone. And I am still out there doing more than some people who are half my age.” Crumb has been teaching willing learners how to handle horses for 61 years now.

“Most of the people who come to me want to learn because they know that I am pretty strict” she said. Crumb’s experience ranges from being a high school science teacher to riding just below an Olympic level before needing a hip replacement.

Her course covers everything from the technicalities of how to catch a horse, grooming it thoroughly, saddling, and bridling it to the more complex concepts of learning sympathy with the horse, communication through balanced riding, and respect and trust between horse and rider.

“I always loved horse riding, but haven’t been able to ride much before now,” Kiauna Dougall, age 20, business, said about her experience in Crumb’s course.

She says her favorite part about horses is their personalities. “They are full of personality!” As a newcomer to the sport, she says one of the hardest things is staying balanced and relaxed. “You have to learn how to trust yourself and the horse.” But Dougall recommends the course to other students because she says “You get to work with a live animal. There’s a lot of skill and training that goes into it.”

“I love the bond and teamwork it takes to work with horses,” said Sherry Peak, age 24, biology major. “I used to go on occasional trail rides with friends, but I didn’t know what I was doing until this class.” Peak explains that knowing how to communicate correctly with her horse has been the biggest challenge she has had so far. “You have to know what you want them to do.”

“Dollar and I have come a long way,” she said as she gave her mount a pat on the neck. “If you like horses and want to learn to do it the correct way and don’t have access to horses, then this class is awesome—it’s perfect!”

Crumb has been doing her best to connect NIC students with their horses since 1979, and continues to do so to this day. While she loves a variety of activities including skiing, hunting, fishing, and keeping up with Gonzaga basketball games, it is the horses and teaching she has stuck with the most.

Marian Crumb is many things: God-loving, active, left-brained, perfectionist. But in her words, “I love people and animals and want to help them to have a better relationship and life together.”