INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your peers have hopes, worries, and fears, just as you do. They have an urge to do something useful in the world, just as you do. Some are nice, caring, and supportive, and will understand you. Those who aren't very friendly may have reasons for that. They may feel shy, scared, or annoyed at the world. It's important to realize that people can be mean because of insecurities or a desire to keep pain at bay. Don't assume the worst in others. Put yourself in your peers' shoes. This may help you understand others better. For example, if you notice that someone never seems to do well on tests and is always in a bad mood in class, try to imagine how you would feel in that situation. You may also feel frustrated in an environment in which you do not succeed. Making friends can be challenging, especially at a new school. Be open to talking to new people. Ask questions about them and share interesting things about yourself. It takes time to make close friends, but the more time you spend together, the closer you will become.  Join a club or activity. Go with a new friend or show up by yourself. Either way, you are bound to spend time with people and build friendships. Friendship and socializing are an important part of being a teen. Maintain friendships that make you feel supported and comfortable in your own skin. Supportive friends will encourage you to be the best version of yourself. Avoid friends who pressure you to do things that don’t feel right for you.  Good friends spend time together, they help each other, and they can trust each other. For example, a good friend will enjoy going to your house or seeing a movie on the weekend. He or she will be glad to help you with your homework if you are struggling. A good friend will listen to your problems and won’t talk about sensitive issues behind your back. Maintain friendships by making an effort to see each other. Sit together at lunch or join the same club. If you don’t go to the same school, call each other on the weekends. Send updates via email or text during the week to show that you want to stay in touch. Peer pressure is when you are influenced to do something because your friends are doing it or because your friends ask you to participate. This can have both a positive and negative effect. Before making a move, think about if it is right for you. What are the possible outcomes? What is the best or worst thing that could happen? Don't do something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Use some non-confrontational phrases if you are pressured to do something that you know feels wrong. Try saying, “Hey, I don’t think I want to get into this. It’s just not for me.” Getting along with parents can be challenging as a teen. Try doing an activity together that you both enjoy. Play a sport or watch a movie together. Help out around the house or offer to drive your siblings somewhere. Parents will appreciate it when you make an effort to help them.  Helping out also shows maturity and can help build trust between you. Avoid ugly fights. Parents also struggle with adolescent years. They may try to restrict your actions or shorten the time spent with your friends. Try to reason with them logically instead of yelling to get what you want.  Compromising with your parents is valuable skill to develop. People often start dating in their teens. There can be a lot of pressure to have a boyfriend or girlfriend. Families differ on what is appropriate as far as dating. If you are interested in someone, try getting to know them to test the waters. See if going on a date is appropriate and mutually desired.  Engage in safe sex. Not all teens are ready for sex. Avoid people who pressure you into having sex if you wish to abstain. If you do feel ready to have sex, be aware of the physical and emotional consequences. Sex can be fulfilling, but it can also be an emotional burden at a young age. Additionally, sex can result in the passing of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that compromise your health. Sex can also result in pregnancy. Always use condoms correctly when engaging in oral, vaginal, or anal sex. Make sure that you and your partner are respectful and loving to one another. Your partner should never be physically or emotionally abusive, and you should never feel that your partner has any control or power over you. Read  this article to see if your relationship could be categorized as abusive.

SUMMARY: Sympathize with your peers. Meet new people. Keep your good friends. Manage peer pressure. Maintain a relationship with your parents. Develop healthy romances.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your horse needs to be clean for the foaling so that the foal doesn’t come into contact with germs or bacteria. You don’t want to risk infecting the foal. Rinse your horse with warm water, then use a clean sponge to create a lather with the soap. Rinse the soap away, then apply a conditioner if you have one. After your rinse away the conditioner, you can dry off the horse with a large towel. It helps to wash the horse in sections. For example, you might wash the left side, followed by the right side. Then, you could wash the face and neck. Mix the soap into the warm water. Then, rinse your mare’s udders with warm water. Using a sponge dipped in the soapy water, gently wipe down your mare’s udders. Separate the folds on and around the udders to make sure you get them clean. Then rinse the area with warm water.  Use a light, gentle stream of water, as a hard stream of water will cause your horse discomfort. Your foal will be nursing on the udders, so it’s important that they’re clean. Use a mild soap, such as horse shampoo. Wet the genital area with warm water, then use a clean sponge dipped in warm, soapy water to clean the outside of her genitals. Then, use your fingers to gently turn the lower part of her labia inside out so you can remove the waxy buildup inside it. Finally, rinse the entire area with warm water.  Never, ever put soapy water in your mare’s vagina, as this can cause an infection. Only clean the outside of her labia. Be careful when cleaning your mare’s genitals, as she may attempt to kick you. Fold the tail up so it’s shortened. Then, wrap clean plastic wrap around the tail to keep the area sanitary and hold in the hair. Secure the plastic wrap around the tail with rubber bands or additional plastic wrap. Tie it in 2 or 3 spots to make sure it won’t come loose. Make sure your ties aren’t too tight and take down the tail shortly after the foaling. Otherwise, you might accidentally cut off circulation to the tail, which can permanently damage it.

SUMMARY:
Wash your mare with a horse shampoo a week before foaling to remove germs. Clean your mare’s udders with warm water and soap. Wash your mare’s genitals to protect the foal. Tie up the mare’s tail when she goes into labor so it’s out of the way.