America’s Horse, October 6, 2009 – The All American Quarter Horse Congress is underway in Columbus, Ohio, and the American Quarter Horse Foundation is campaigning to connect people with American Quarter Horses through therapeutic riding.
The Because of a Horse campaign is raising needed funds for America’s Horse Cares and giving riders the ability to fly without wings on the back of an American Quarter Horse. America’s Horse Cares is the therapeutic riding assistance program of the Foundation. It's because of a horse that people with special needs can obtain the freedom so many of us already enjoy.
At Congress, exhibitors and spectators are asked to send a text message as a $10 pledge to support this worthy cause. Visit the AQHA booth at Congress to learn the details and see how your $10 text donation can make a huge difference. You can help someone fly without wings on the back of an American Quarter Horse.
Not attending the world’s largest American Quarter Horse show? Even if you aren't in Columbus, you can still participate with your $10 pledge by visiting www.americashorsecares.com. Your tax-deductible donation can help connect horses with people who need them.
To see the difference you can make in the life of a therapeutic rider, visit www.aqha.com/foundation/becauseofahorse.html. The “Fly Without Wings” video will be playing in several locations around Congress. You won’t want to miss the special appearance by 2007 MD Barns Silver Spur winner Tippys Sugar Bar on October 23 in the Celeste Center. “Tippy” will appear with three of the young riders that she has impacted as a therapeutic riding horse.
Don’t think your $50, $20 or even $10 donation can make a difference? Every dollar counts!
The cost of a lesson ranges from $57 to $315 per one-hour session and averages about $136. Most of the reduced rates that clients pay are $20-30. Based on the numbers, this hardly makes a dent in the actual cost of a therapeutic session. But America’s Horse Cares grants help offset these costs.
With your help, therapeutic riding centers can afford to purchase other needed supplies such as a riding helmet (which costs approximately $30), a bag of horse feed ($12.99), a round bale of coastal hay ($80), a bag of shavings ($7), a set of new horse shoes ($80) or any number of the needed supplies to keep the equine heroes healthy and providing lessons.
Thanks to the many donors and support from AQHA Corporate Partner Farnam, the Foundation has awarded more than $298,000 in assistance to more than 98 centers across the country, but there are many more requests for funding that have not been met. The Foundation’s partnerships with Farnam and NARHA offer rich and rewarding experiences that will provide many challenged individuals with confidence and self-esteem through therapeutic riding sessions.
Each year, more children and adults with disabilities whose lives, limbs and language are limited are positively impacted by riding a horse. Whether it is autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Down syndrome, spina bifida or other disability, horses are making a measurable impact on their lives.
Want to go beyond a one-time donation? To learn how you or your organization can become more involved in supporting America’s Horse Cares, visit www.aqha.com/foundation, donate securely online at www.aqha.com/donatetoday or contact the Foundation at (806) 378-5029 or foundation@aqha.org.
