Therapy horse owner appeals to public for funds to help animals during COVID-19 crisis

The therapy horses at one of Westchester’s oldest farms would normally be hard at work bringing comfort and therapy to hundreds of adults and children.

News 12 Staff

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Apr 13, 2020, 8:53 PM

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Updated 1,713 days ago

The therapy horses at one of Westchester’s oldest farms would normally be hard at work bringing comfort and therapy to hundreds of adults and children.

But with New York on Pause, it means no classes and no income.

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Stephanie King runs the Sky Blue Equestrian Center in Cortland and oversees one of the region's most well-respected therapeutic riding programs geared toward at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence and even veterans with PTSD.

She says on average, it costs her about $300 to feed each horse per month, which does not include vet bills, rent and other operating costs.

King says while feeding horses might not be everyone’s top priority during the coronavirus crisis, she is now appealing to the public for help through a GoFundMe page, insisting even a few dollars can help.

She says the alternative is unthinkable.

“Sometimes the horses go to auctions and they end up at slaughterhouses,” she says.

Donations can be made toe the farm's GoFundMe page.

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