The 2015 LoveWay Ride-A-Thon on Saturday, October 10th, had a great turnout. This was the 21st annual Ride-A-Thon for LoveWay. The Ride-A-Thon helps fund Loveway Inc., a non-profit organization in Middlebury, IN. They offer therapeutic equestrian services for individuals with physical, mental and/or emotional disabilities. There were 116 riders at the event this year that brought their horses out to join the trail ride for a good cause. It was a beautiful day and even the weather cooperated!
It was a beautiful day for riders to hit the trails with friends.
The fun fair, bake sale, tack sale and trail ride all went off without a hitch. Participants even got to enjoy a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Elkhart Exchange Club. It seems that everyone had a good time. LoveWay was able to raise $52,000 through the fundraiser.
A Bake Sale and Tack Sale were held at LoveWay with proceeds to contribute to rider scholarships.
Where does the money go that was raised? The funds benefit student scholarships. A majority of the riders at LoveWay come from area schools. The schools do not have to pay for the students to attend. Their contribution is transportation which can be costly when driving students back and forth for therapy sessions. Nearly 90% of LoveWay students rely on scholarships to receive their beneficial therapy. Without the support of the community and the fundraisers, many of the riders from schools wouldn't be able to participate at LoveWay.
LoveWay is always in need of volunteers and could use your help. LoveWay is still on the lookout for a gentle draft-cross to join their horse staff. Contact them if you would like to volunteer or know of the perfect horse!
It's spring and that means April showers are here. It's warming up outside and the horses are out enjoying the break from the long winter.
It might feel nice out, but spring weather is ideal for a pesky skin condition called rain rot. Standing out in the rain is one of the most common ways for a horse to get rain rot, but it's not the only way.
At VPSI, we're proud to be able to sponsor the LoveWay horses. LoveWay is a non-profit organization that offers equine-assisted therapy in Middlebury, IN.
Horses that fit perfectly into the program are a rare find. Even great therapy horses take some time to adjust to their new life as a LoveWay horse.
That's why Miracle is so special. He's one of the few horses that entered the program and was ready to go from day one.
Caitlyn Andrews
Author