At first, Pony Club might seem inappropriate as an example of building social capital and democracy by teaching kids how to care for and ride horses!  But it’s not just what they do, but how they do it.  It’s also who does it.  Although they do use professional teachers, each chapter of Pony Club, and there are now 500 chapters in the United States alone, is member-managed rather than professionally run.  And unlike individual riding lessons, activities are done in groups where members are encouraged to help and cooperate with each other.

For example, in some competitive tests, riders swap horses, promoting equality as well as sportsmanship.  It is impressive!