Dec. 2015 Issue_ August 2013a 2015-11-23 4:45 PM Page 11 DECEMBER 2015 THE RIDER /11 Therapeutic Riding Facility Closes Barn Doors
By Kelly Bowers After serving the com-
munity since 19778, The Equestrian Association for The Disabled, or TEAD as they are affectionately know is closing their doors this month, indefinitely. The 92 acre farm in Mt. Hope is quiet now after the Oct 28th announcement and lay off of 17 staff and over 250 volun- teers, some who are disabled themselves. The trustworthy and dependable horses who have been loved by so many riders over the 37 years, have already found new owners and been transported to their new homes. The blame for the tragic
closure easily falls on the association’s overwhelm- ing debt of more than $500,000. Their funding consists of grants, dona- tions and user fees but the 2013 annual report already hinted of trouble ahead. Revenue for the year fell by 15%, partly because of lower dona- tions. Although they cut expenses, it wasn’t enough and they ended up in the red at year end, compared to a small sur- plus the year before. As donations declined, fami- lies were burdened with increases in their fees over the past six years, up 80% from $25 to $40 per
lesson. But, sadly, that wasn’t enough to save TEAD either.
“We are out of money,”
said board chair Dr. Lindsey George. “The organization has limped along for a long time living close to the edge.” Attempts have been
made to sell a couple parcels of land which could alleviate the pressure and allow them to do repairs on the buildings. But now, they are looking at selling the entire farm. In the meantime, TEAD is “tak- ing a pause” to decide what the next step is. “It’s a tough decision to
make,” said George. “We’ve had just an outpouring of
support from the community … The momentum is there to get us through this and out the other side. The best case scenario is that the farm sells and the debt paid off. Then, the program could relocate to a new Hamilton area stable this spring. That timeline may be overly optimistic though, and the parents of the TEAD riders are worried it won’t happen at all. Those most devastated
by the closing are the riders who rely on the therapeutic riding program, who excited- ly anticipate each visit to the farm.
Some parents haven’t
found the words or had the heart to tell their children
about the bad news and oth- ers know their young ones will be unable to understand what it means if they do. “What are we going to do?” said Brenda, the mother of a seven-year-old autistic son and patron of TEAD who considers it essential for her daughter. “I was stunned. I cried. We had finally found something he loves.” Her words echo those of dozens of others. For many, TEAD is the only organized, recre- ational or social gathering they get to experience in their weekly routine and it is a sad loss for
them and their families. A collection is being taken to attempt to save the organiza- tion but real hope seems to lie in the property sale. If things turn around, there will be better news in the spring or maybe in the fall. That’s what the TEAD families are counting on. For more infor- mation,
email
l
indsey.george@hami l -
tonfht.ca
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