Hercules misses his horse pals, but you can help him take disabled riding again
ALL of us have friends and loved ones we yearn to see but are prevented from doing so by the Covid pandemic.
But if you thought it was just people who are missing others, think again. Our friends in the animal world are also far from happy about the current state of affairs.
They include Hercules, a beautiful horse who has helped hundreds of youngsters with physical disabilities and other needs to experience the thrill of riding a horse at the only centre of its kind in the East Midlands.
Now Hercules has done something no other horse has done: front his own Christmas campaign to help Scropton Riding for the Disabled in South Derbyshire to reopen in the new year.
The centre has been hard hit by Covid-19 and its centre at Scropton has been closed since March. Social distancing requirements have made it impossible to help the riders, who need hands-on assistance.
However, with the changing Covid19 situation and the promise of vaccinations, improved testing and more, bosses at the centre are making plans for a spring 2021 re-opening.
The charity has been dedicated to enriching lives with horses for the past 50 years. Originally one of the founding members of the Riding for the Disabled Association, it is focused on providing opportunities for disabled people and people with mental health needs to improve their health and well-being through horse riding and carriage driving.
Lessons are designed to improve mobility, strength and co-ordination, confidence and self-worth, and all whilst having fun. A spokeswoman said: “We have still had all our horses and centre to look after whilst we’ve been closed and our reserves are limited, so we need help to re-open and get fully back up and running again.
“Hercules’ wish is for our centre to come back to life and to once again provide life enhancing opportunities for local disabled adults and children. Together with his pony friend Faith, he has produced a video showing just what is needed to make this happen.”
.Hercules is one of just three horses at the centre. There were 23 when the centre closed in March, but supporters in the community have become fosters to a number of the animals.
Despite the number of horses going down, the centre still needs to pay its bills, and it is hoping to raise £10,000
through its Road to reopening campaign. So far more than £3,000 has come in. Hercules neighed “The centre is so sad without all the horses, riders and volunteers who bring it alive; we just want them all back here as soon as possible.”
Trustee Glynis Dalley said: “We have been incredibly disappointed that we can’t reopen sooner, but by being patient and planning ahead, we are working to ensure the long-term survival of our centre so that it can go on supporting people and helping them to enjoy activities with horses that they love for many years to come.”
In the video, entitled Hercules’ Wish, the horse says he has three wishes: to see his old friends again, to welcome back riders to Scropton, and to see a smile on everyone’s faces. His “fairy godmother” says all three dreams will come true – but it is going to need a bit of help from us humans too.
Hercules’ video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/UmoBds-z3U4. For more information about Road to reopeningm visit www.scropton.com/ take-a-step