We are asking for funding to support the equine staff at Heads Up! Formed in 1991, Heads Up! began by leasing two evenings per week for a fall and spring session. In 2001, the program moved to a long-term lease situation so that services could expand and Heads Up! would grow. The program began acquiring horses and funding the upkeep of these mounts on a daily basis. In addition to those expenses, the facility also had to be developed and the funding base expanded to offer services throughout the year. Services are now offered 5 days per week year-round.
What are the major features of the Sponsor-A-Horse project? This project will offer full room and board, clothing, medical, pedicures and chauffeur services for a year to each of the equine staff in our program. As a NARHA premier accredited center, the community looks to Heads Up! as the 'gold standard' in equine care. The program has a policy of 'no convenience' euthanasia. We are committed to providing what each horse needs to maintain a comfortable life. In return, these horses work very hard providing hippotherapy to preschool-aged children and older as well as providing therapeutic riding to school-age children and adults.
How will your donation benefit Heads Up? Currently, Heads Up! is more than 50% under funded. We are in the difficult transition from a part-time volunteer-based program to a full-time program with staff. If Heads Up! receives pledges to support the cost of the horses, the community resources collected can be used to increase the number of rides provided throughout the year. Therefore, more children and adults with disabilities can ride! Our community is a large, rural community in central North Carolina with little opportunity for corporate sponsorship. Over 90% of our families qualify for Medicaid and other welfare programs due to their income level being below the poverty line dictated by federal and state officials. Just the cost of gas alone is enough to deter a family from bringing their child for services here at Heads Up! We do offer a sliding scale fee for families living within Chatham County so that most everyone can participate by paying or by volunteering hours in return for services. However, the level of participation may only be for one quarter of the year even though they could benefit from the service all throughout the year. That way, everyone who is requesting services can have a chance to ride or receive hippotherapy at least once during the year.
The Sponsor-A-Horse funds will be used to pay for all medical and nutritional needs and farrier costs. Many of the horses used in therapeutic riding programs are elderly and require a higher level of care. For example, Scout. He had been our most used mount, logging in several hours each day 4 days per week. He was great with the 2 and 3 year olds during hippotherapy as he was narrow-barreled yet smooth gaited; and, he could tolerate the older children learning how to use reins and asking him to trot. Even our adults in the beginner classes started on Scout. However, he was a hard keeper. He had no opposing molars. He cost five times what the others cost in feed alone. Yet, he was worth every penny. Phoenix is completely blind. Her previous owner could not put her down and wrote a letter to Heads Up! We took her on trial 3 years ago and never looked back. She has wonderful balance. However, Phoenix requires shoes on all four feet as she cannot see to step around obstacles in the pasture which leads to hoof bruising and subsequent abscessing.
Through your gift, you will ensure that Heads Up! will continue to serve folks who desperately need what we are offering—a chance to gain self confidence, strengthen mental and physical capabilities, and engage in social relationships…and most importantly, a chance to have fun! Please join with me as we change lives and build dreams.
With your tax deductible donation, you will give a person with special needs the opportunity to grow and excel in a significant way. Please don’t delay—your donation will make a difference in a life today!
