Keeping a large herd of school horses is very expensive; it is estimated that the average costs (before labour) on a horse range between $500-700 per month.
During the COVID-19 shutdown, many boarding and lesson stables have been, or soon will be, experiencing financial difficulties. Many stables across the country have initiated “adopt a pony” and “foster a schoolie” programs to help feed the 50-plus residents on site until they can get back to work again.
One such farm is A & T Equestrian Centre in Surrey, BC, which has seen both its lesson programs halted, as well its horse therapy sessions put on indefinite hold. For as little as $19.95/month you can keep up to date with your favourite lesson pony or horse and receive information on him or her, weekly pictures and video updates and even some equestrian activities you can do at home, such as learning about barn management or taking virtual lessons.
“The hardest part is not knowing how long this is going to last for,” owner Kat Naud told CTV News Vancouver. “It’s about $25,000 a month in just expenses to cover their basic care, food, their teeth, their feet, their sawdust being changed and the staff that’s required to do those things for them.”
For more info or to meet the ponies, click here.
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