AHEAD With Horses specializes in helping others and now needs help.

By Julian MITCHELL

For over 50 years, AHEAD With Horses has helped the disabled and disadvantaged overcome any and all obstacles. From being able to walk for the first time to just sitting up straight, all progress is celebrated at AHEAD With Horses.

The program uses horseback riding and vaulting to help physically and mentally challenged children use their minds and bodies to their fullest abilities. By working with horses, students can grow emotionally, socially and physically in a combination of ways that few other experiences deliver on.

“Whenever I go down there … I have to tell myself not to cry,” said AHEAD With Horses President Joyce Davison.

After assisting others for so long, AHEAD With Horses is now in need of assistance itself.

In 2017, the non-profit organization purchased a 2.5-acre parcel of undeveloped land in Lakeview Terrace to move to a permanent home. With more space for a larger operation, they were hoping to assist more children.

“We were planning on being there now,” said Davison.

But AHEAD With Horses is still at its rented facility in Shadow Hills due to difficulties acquiring the necessary permits. To meet those requirements, they need to have amenities, such as electricity, water, and bathrooms, all of which cost a significant amount of money. On top of that, the 2020 deadline for payment of the original loan of over $750,000 is quickly approaching.

As of now, the site still needs about $50,000 in work that organizers believe will secure them a loan to keep their new property. Upgrades include basic amenities as previously mentioned, as well as a barn for horses.

The organization used to receive government support on state and federal levels. But that funding has disappeared. Nearly 30 years ago it was decided that funding for AHEAD With Horses should be cut as it was deemed a “recreational” riding facility and no longer considered a therapy center in the eyes of the state.

“Does that look recreational to you?” said Davison, referring to a video of children vaulting on the horses.

The children who come to AHEAD With Horses with physical disabilities benefit from horseback riding due in part to the horses’ natural gait. The horses’ gait is similar to the feeling that children would have if they walked on their own. Vaulting, gymnastics type movement while on horseback, helps to increase strength in their bodies.

AHEAD With Horses’ first student 50 years ago was a young boy who had to have reconstructive hip surgery each year. Through his experiences horseback riding, he required fewer surgeries and eventually was healthy enough to travel to Saudi Arabia to ride horses.

Although there is a charge of $40 for each lesson, AHEAD With Horses states that no child in need will ever be turned away. Paying rent on the current space, a mortgage for the new space, and taking a loss of about $40 on each lesson has made raising funds to build the required amenities difficult.

One fundraising attempt was an auction held last year. Over half of the attendees were coming from Paradise, California but due to the fires unfortunately could not attend. These types of unforeseen circumstances have led the group to its current financial situation.

For now, many of the board members are personally fundraising in any way they can. Davison herself has sent out 200 letters to friends and family and raised approximately $3,000. AHEAD With Horses board members have even reached out to private investors to see if they could receive any funding.

AHEAD With Horses will need as many donations as it can get to secure its new property. It currently is accepting donations through PayPal and the website Crowdrise. The goal on Crowdrise is listed at $150,000 and it has currently raised just over $18,000. Any donation will help to get AHEAD With Horses to its new home.

  Julian MITCHELL