TEMPLE – The Giddy-Up & Go 4-H Horse Club is collecting bales of hay for the Double B Equine Rescue in Industry this week with plans to deliver them on Saturday.

“The horses need it,” said 4-H member Emily Rice, 12, of Farmington, who along with other members have made a list of people with horses or hay, and have been making calls requesting donations. They will also help load and unload the hay.

The group is asking people for donations of two bales of hay for the rescued horses with hopes of raising at least 20 bales, said club leader Janine Winn. That amount would feed the horses at the Equine Rescue for about two days.

This is the second year the group has participated. Last year, when the club’s “Hay Raiser” was held, members received 21 rectangular bales and one round bale, she said.

Along with the hay, the group is accepting and picking up cash donations. Anyone who would like to donate is asked to call Winn at 778-3856.

The club, now in its second year, has members from all over Franklin County as well as Winn’s granddaughter from Machiasport.

“That’s the reason I started the club under the auspices of the 4-H,” Winn said. Although there is another horse 4-H Club in the county, her granddaughter was not able to make those meetings.

The Giddy-Up & Go 4-H Club has about a dozen members ranging in age from 7 to 15 years old. Some have horses, some don’t, she said. Some members are taking riding lessons.

“I really like being with other people who understand and enjoy being around horses,” Rice said.

The group attends the Horseman’s Conference and Trade Show in Augusta and participates in 4-H activities and horse shows. The club created a display for Farmington Fair, Winn said. Members meet about once a month.