Severe weather has wiped out grazing fields, leaving 11 rescued therapy horses, ponies and donkeys struggling to find food at a Massachusetts nonprofit that believes in healing through animals.
“Fall and Winter storms have wiped out what little grass we planted to feed our herd this year. Severe weather has left our grazing paddocks flooded and unusable,” Berkshire HorseWorks wrote on Facebook.
Instead, the nonprofit has had to rely on hay. But that has gotten expensive as prices have increased.
Berkshire HorseWorks, in Richmond, works with more than 4,000 people of all ages in the Berkshires — including at-risk youth, first responders, veterans, families and other vulnerable populations with mental health, literacy and behavioral challenges — through Eagala Model Equine-Assisted programs.
These programs are provided at a “greatly reduced or no cost.”
“Horses facilitate change,” the website states. “[Berkshire HorseWorks] believes that every individual, regardless of economic status, should have access to health and wellness activities that increase their ability to manage and excel in an ever-changing world.
All of the animals are also rescued, which means that some of them also need medication or additional veterinary help.
The nonprofit is asking the community to help the animals, Zephyr, Spirit, Gunnar, William, 007, Elektra, Bolt, Rodeo, Nellie, Wildflower and Star.
“Your donation directly provides hay, grain, medication, and veterinary care to the animals who give so much back to our community,” the fundraiser states.
A “generous donor,” who was not named, is matching all funds up to $5,000 if reached before Dec. 31. The nonprofit hopes to raise $6,500.
As of Dec. 3, it has raised about $2,000.
A donation of $50 can buy six bales of hay or two bags of grain, while $100 can buy 13 bales of hay and feed the 11 rescued horses for five days.
A donation of $135 can go towards helping Star, a 10-year-old Shetland/mini cross alive by paying for his insulin medication for a month.
Donors can also help pay for an equine-assisted psychotherapy session for an at-risk youth, veteran or first responder by giving $325. Sponsoring an at-risk child for RanchLife 101 summer life skills program is $1,050.
And it costs $1,540 to vaccinate all 11 horses, ponies and donkeys for a year.
Other ways to donate include booking a ranch experience, such as playing with miniature donkeys, doing trail rides, buying a hat or T-shirt and more.
“With every booking we will donate one session to an at-risk child or family,” the website states.
For more, click here.
