Financial Love

I've been a volunteer at MARE for just over two months. I volunteer every Wednesday afternoon from 3:00 until 6:00, unless we finish sooner. If we're friends on Facebook, you probably already saw that I shared a post from M.A.R.E. in which they're asking for donations for an unexpectedly large vet bill for one of the horses, Smoothie. I know for a fact that at least two of you donated, and for that I am truly humbled and grateful. Horse people are the best people.

Me with Paco, who has since moved on to another job.

From MARE's website:
M.A.R.E. is a 501(c)3 that provides equine-assisted therapies and activities for children, adults & veterans living with special needs and disabilities.
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During my two months at MARE, I have seen only happy and healthy horses and ponies. Each horse's daily life is well documented including the hay and supplements he eats, the little nicks and bumps that he might acquire, and even the number of minutes he works each day. The horses and ponies are well loved, and the attention to their care is evidence of how valuable these horses and ponies are to the lives of the children and veterans who ride them.

Smoothie, a lovely palomino gelding, recently sustained an injury that turned out to be worse than first believed. On Wednesday, he returned from an equine facility up north where he received treatment for the injury. MARE's staff remains hopeful that he will heal sufficiently to return to work, but as horse owners know, that doesn't always happen.

Smoothie on his way to the vet. PC MARE

MARE is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and donations. While the organization is determined to ensure long-term financial stability, that can only happen through the generosity of its donors. Smoothie's vet bills are piling up, and he could use some financial love right about now. If you've been looking for a way to find some joy, something I struggled with this past fall, you might find that donating even a small amount might just be the best bargain you find all month. 

If you visit MARE's Facebook page, you'll see a link to donate. You can also go directly to MARE's website and donate from that page. If you donate from the webpage, be sure to leave a note letting the staff know that your donation is for Smoothie's vet bill. Of course, you can also just make a donation that isn't necessarily specific to Smoothie's care. Any donations MARE receives are very much appreciated.

Thank you for permitting me this entreaty. I try not to ask much of my readers. Just being able to chat with you every day is asking enough of your time, but if you have a few dollars to spare, the MARE staff would appreciate it. So would I, not that that matters.

Riding Warehouse agreed to show MARE some love by offering my readers the chance to win a small gift card for anyone who checks out MARE's website and Facebook pages, or to those who might make a donation. Liking the Riding Warehouse's Facebook page would also be appreciated. Using this link, fill out a Google Form letting me know you've seen MARE's pages. Your name will go in a drawing twice just for visiting their website and Facebook page. A small donation to MARE earns a third entry in the drawing. I'll do the drawing on Friday, March 17th sometime in the early evening. If you win, I'll email a code for Riding Warehouse's gift card.

Smoothie and Trainer 1 the day he came home.

​Thanks for supporting horses everywhere!