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Just to be a horse

Therapeutic Riding Association seeks home for two retirees
Kathleen Thompson

Children and adults with disabilities have found delight with therapeutic horseback riding. For years, two such horses have provided that enlightenment but it’s time for them to retire.

Mist and Streak, both registered quarter horses, are being retired by Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association. While sad to see them go, volunteer coordinator Dusty Reid said it’s what is best.

“They’re not enjoying the work anymore,” she said. “It’s time for them to have a nice retirement. They had the same owner for years before they came to us. We were supposed to contact her if we were ever retiring them but they’ve completely changed their property. They’re not set up for horses anymore.”

Both horses are senior chestnuts. Streak is 22 and Mist is 20 years old. Barn manager Tammy Aiello said they need to go to a quiet, loving home with an owner who is “horse savvy.” She said Mist and Streak have been together since Streak was three so whoever wants one must take both.

Reid explained that Powell River Health Care Auxiliary has offered to give money to the association for two new horses but a home for the mares needs to be found first.

Reid and Aiello want to see Mist and Streak retire with an owner who understands that senior horses must be gently handled.

“These aren’t horses that your child can learn how to barrel race on. They’re not horses that you’re going to take into a show. They’d be wonderful to go ride on the trail and they love it,” explained Reid.

Aiello said the mares are up-to-date on everything from their shots, their feet and were recently dewormed. She has all the information for whoever is interested in taking them.

“As far as facilities go I’d like to see them go to a pasture with shelters and possibly where they can get in a barn for the night if the weather is bad,” she said.

Reid estimated the annual cost of caring for one of the horses to be about $4,500.

“You’re talking about shoes, supplements, blankets, dental, shots, regular foot care. They’ve basically been really well taken care of. Obviously we want that kept up. We won’t send them anywhere we don’t approve.”

Aiello said they would like Mist and Streak to go to their new homes when the program ends in June. She said they are “far from dead” but must be retired before they get burned out.

“If we wait until they’re totally done there is no adopting them out; there’s putting them down. I know for a fact those two horses, if they have a really good home, they’ll be good until almost 30,” she said, stressing “their life needs to be quiet.”

Reid said she wants their new owners to be able to enjoy the mares. “We want them to still be enjoying life. It’s nice to just be a horse.”

Anyone who is interested in giving Mist and Streak a new home can contact Reid or Aiello at the association at 604.485.0177 or by email at volunteer@shawbiz.ca.