Looking forward in uncertain times

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This article was published 27/04/2020 (2217 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There is no way of knowing when a team of three Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association volunteers will once again be able to help a disabled child ride a horse, but hope exists that it will be in the coming months.

That is why MRDA recently launched its Promise a Program fundraising campaign.

Based at West Wind Stables in Oak Bluff, MRDA provides accessible horseback riding to children age five to 15 who have autism, attention deficit disorder or fetal alcohol syndrome disorder, impaired mobility, cerebral palsy and other special needs.

Executive director Kristy McFee said the 10-week spring session, that would have included about 22 children, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but she hopes a fall session can go ahead.

In the meantime, donations are needed to replace money that would have been raised through the organization’s fundraising events usually held in May and June.

“We realize these are very tough times for everyone and understand this is not the climate in which to be seeking fundraising dollars. But, if you are able to please consider a donation — however small, this will ensure our children continue to receive programming and support through our unique community when it is safe for them to do so,” McFee said in a news release.

Herself a parent of a child with autism who participates in the MRDA program, McFee said many of the youngsters aren’t able to join in other recreational activities. The MRDA offers a special opportunity for children to gain confidence and enjoyment from learning to ride a horse. Parents can also have time for themselves while their child is riding, helped by some of the over 100 MRDA volunteers.

Arabella Keam, 12, has participated in the MRDA program for four years.

“I feel really strong when I’m on (the horse),” she said.

Her parents Allison and Trevor Keam, who live in East Kildonan, say that having the chance to take part in MRDA made a huge difference to their lives.

“They are amazing. We feel like we’re part of a big family,” Trevor said.

Arabella has progressed to a point where she was taking weekly lessons at West Wind Stables, but she, like all the stable’s other riders, isn’t able to continue her lessons now due to the pandemic.

McFee said, just because MRDA participants aren’t riding doesn’t mean that the West Wind horses don’t need to be fed, groomed, exercised and cared for in other ways.

“Our programs have all been postponed, but operational costs remain a priority to ensure the program will be available when it is safe for our members to participate.”

Chris Dolinski and Shawn Charriere own and operate West Wind Stables. The facility, which houses 46 horses, received a notice from Equestrian Canada on March 20 ordering a shutdown as equestrian centres aren’t deemed by the federal or provincial governments to be an essential service.

“All the school horses are on holiday,” Dolinski said.

About half of West Wind Stables’ horses are being boarded there but their approximately 20 owners are currently restricted from caring for and riding them.

Dolinski said all the horses are receiving daily outdoor exercise as well as basic care by West Wind staff. She also sends owners updates on and videos of their horses.

“We try to keep them connected,” she said. “For a lot of them, this is their stress release. I know it was very emotional for everyone.”

Urban Stable is another non-profit organization offering therapeutic riding for youth. Beginning in in 2001, it involves students from Red River Valley, Prairie Rose, Seine River and Pembina Trails School Divisions and St.Amant who learn to groom and ride horses that are leased at Camp Assiniboia in the RM of Cartier.

Urban Stable’s program ended when Manitoba public schools closed in March. Executive director Wendy MacDonald said the non-profit’s board is also considering a fundraising campaign to keep afloat.

MacDonald said she’s concerned about the students who aren’t able to continue in the program as many struggle with anxiety and depression that could be heightened by the pandemic.
She was also forced to temporarily layoff the organization’s instructors and other staff.

“It’s a tough time. So much is unknown,” MacDonald said. However she is hopeful that a fall session will take place.

Urban Stable’s instructors and some alumni also work at Camp Assiniboia’s summer riding camps, but the future of those is up in the air right now.

Dorothy Fontaine, with Mennonite Church Manitoba that runs Camp Assiniboia, said they are accepting summer camp registration, although spring programs for disabled adults have been cancelled.

Since riding usually requires close physical interaction, Fontaine isn’t sure if it will be possible to make riding part of this summer’s activities.

“It would be very difficult to run a riding camp,” she said. “We’re working on other ways to have camp.”

She said the camp’s horses are being cared for by camp staff.

The MRDA is accepting donations through Canada Helps, by e-transfer and mail. See https://www.mrda.cc

For more information on Urban Stable, see https://urbanstable.ca