A New Brunswick-based therapeutic horse-riding program is asking donors to help them get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shining Horizons Therapeutic Riding Association has missed its spring fundraisers, and has no current revenue due to visitor restrictions from coronavirus-related shutdowns.
Executive Director Dave Ryan says they are looking for creative ways to work through ongoing health guidelines.
“With the physical distancing and all the protocols in place, that’s what we’re working through to see if we can bring in participants (with people) in their family bubble to assist with side-walking or things like that,” Ryan said.
Shining Horizons has been around since the mid-90s, opening a full-time center thanks to donations and fundraisers just a few years ago.
Ryan says they aren’t yet in dire straits, but in the past they have typically held galas or ticket-based fundraising events, which are now impossible due to the pandemic restrictions.
With the association’s specific needs, they may have to get a little creative in meeting the current public health guidelines.
“Sometimes the horses might get a little leery about the masks if they haven’t seen them,” he said. “The saddles and lead and line all need to be wiped down after each use. There’s a lot of work to this.”
“Our operational budget on a normal basis, 30 per cent of our budget comes through revenue, and 70 per cent from fundraising,” Ryan said.
Thanks to provincial progress on flattening the COVID-19 curve, and some federal subsidies, the hope is to reopen Shining Horizons by mid-June.
However, the association still has many barriers before they can reopen the stables.
“We’re not afraid of the work,” Ryan laughed. “But we’re day to day. The horses are well, they’re happy, but they are animals that like to work and they want to get back to work for sure.”
Donations can be made to Shining Horizons through its website.
