It takes all sizes, shapes and types of horses to build a therapeutic riding herd, and at New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy we have a wonderfully eclectic group of equines ready to do whatever is needed to help our riders. One of my favorites is Daisy our therapy mule. Her kind brown eye’s and soft floppy ears bring an immediate smile to everyone’s face. As far as we know Daisy is the only therapy mule in north Texas. She came to us when one of our riding instructors found her in trouble at a horse auction. Daisy had eye issues and her owners were looking to rehome her. Our instructor had a hunch that this special jenny had more to offer the world than she was being given credit, and her hunch was right on point!
Our barn manager was able to get her eye’s on the mend, and Daisy quickly took to the New Hope routine becoming good buddies with the boss mare Libby. She quickly transitioned into a productive member of our herd able to easily handle our older heavier riders, and did so with that sure footed fashion mules are famous for. Daisy get’s her job. She knows it’s her responsibility to keep riders safe and does so with the sweetest disposition. She’ll let riders use her ears to hold ring-toss rings, and doesn’t flinch when they blow soap bubbles between them. She’s happy to put up with indignities like dress up day and flat out let’s nothing bother her! Daisy loves to roam the property whenever we give her the chance, and will do a little mule dance by the gate, swaying back and forth waiting for her daily exercise excursion. I’m not sure every therapy riding center should have a mule, but I’m sure glad New Hope has one.
Keeping Daisy, Libby and the 11 other hard-working horses and ponies in our herd is a costly effort. If you’d like help support New Hope’s therapeutic riding program, we have a fun fundraiser coming up on April 13th. It’s our 9th Annual New Hope Sporting Clay Shoot at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds in Decatur Texas. In addition to the clay shoot that morning we have a live and silent auction and a wonderful BBQ lunch. It’s a good time for a great cause and there is still time to sign up individuals, teams and sponsors for the event. To register or for more details please visit our website at https://newhopeequine.com/EVENTS/SPORTING-CLAY-SHOOT/
