Therapeutic Riding Center

[The_Hobbit]

So without going into too much detail, as I’m not sure those involved would like me to, I am just curious if a GoFund me project for putting together a therapeutic riding center would be something well received or if it would just come off as tacky.

I know there are mixed reactions to this sort of thing so I’m mostly curious. On one hand I totally see the “why should I pay for your expensive facility/program” but on the other I think those considering doing it have good intentions and that such a place might be really beneficial for the community.

I’d appreciate any thoughts.

[Bluey]

Here, we first had a tentative program, started by a physical therapist and her friend pt that both worked at a local hospital.
It was private, with referrals from the Drs as appropriate.

They formed a non-profit, with a board of directors and all proper paperwork, had a 501-s3 approved and on file and then they started fundraising seriously.

They operated with their own horses and those they asked for locally that were leased to them at no cost and kept in two local stables that gave them room at a discount.
We had most of the time three suitable horses in two-three months rotation as therapy horses there and they took very good care of them.
Horses were in lessons twice a week and exercised by a trainer another two days a week.
Everyone here was supporting them and much of the work was done thru volunteers.

I think to go on to have your own place is a real luxury and that, depending on how busy you are may be ok, but that should be after proving the program for a while and really being that busy.

To start asking for money for a big project to have your own facilities and all that, before you know how this will run?
That may be overkill, but others may disagree.

Our group has been inactive the past two years, because we had our insurance provided by special state grants, that ended in the last budget cuts.

[HungarianHippo]

Ditto this ^. Build your TR program first, the dedicated facility can come later. You can rent arena time at another stable or county fairgrounds, use loaner horses, establish the trained volunteer base, build the clientele, do fundraisers where you can develop a track record of managing the money so that it all goes to the program. Get PATH Int’l certified. Then you’ll have the foundation for a capital funds drive. That’s how the TR center I taught at did it.

It’s harder, of course, but you need to prove that there is a demand for the program, there is the volunteer base to support it (absolutely critical-- recruiting and keeping vols requires a huge effort), and there is a competent management team so I can trust my money will be used effectively.

Maybe that foundation is already in place and you’re just withholding details to keep this anonymous. But if not, asking me to build you a whole facility would feel like a high schooler asking for a Ferrari.

[The_Hobbit]

Thank you guys! That all makes a lot of sense and is sort of what I was thinking.