We are settling in at the new barn.  There was so much to do during the first 3 months!  We had volunteers building shelves in every room, rubber mats had to be put in each stall, tack room, storage rooms, and feed room, as well as the laundry room needed racks and shelves.  There were trash cans to buy, cleaning supplies, and the list goes on and on!

Our therapy horses have a turnout field, most of the stalls have been matted, window coverings are up, the gutters repaired, the built in mounting ramp and platform is finished and the temporary one moved out, the horse shower stalls have running hot and cold water, some of the 4.5 acres have been cleaned and a short loop trail put in (much more to do on the trails).

Both the client and the volunteer numbers have increased.  We are working on stall sponsorships and has 4 sponsored so far. We have secured a grant to cover a changing table for one of the bathrooms, but still need to secure the services of a contractor for the remodeling needed to install the changing table.

The perimeter fence and an electronic gate are almost finished and the pond has been fenced for safety reasons.  The gate will be operational by pass cards only, so be sure to call before you stop by for a visit. Our desire is not to keep the public out but to keep the property secure for the horses.

We currently have inquiries from the community for program expansion/partnerships with other agencies.

There is still a lot to be done here, but it is a very beautiful facility. I hope as you have time you will make arrangements to help with special projects.  We still need help with developing a manure management program, the sensory trail system, repairs in the fencing, drainage of the paddocks, and we will need to secure additional rubber/sand footing for the arena soon.

Remember to share information about ARI’s good work of "changing lives through horses" with the people you meet, as we must keep the funding flowing in order to serve the clients who need Health, Happiness and Healing through Horses.

Susanne J. Rosen