Several weeks ago I was approached by a friend who enquired if Success By 6 would be interested in helping a local volunteer group purchase a new horse for their therapeutic riding program. The Prince George Therapeutic Riding Association provides free riding experiences for children over 3 years old and adults with physical and mental disabilities. They are in desperate need for a new horse because the mare that works primarily with children is 29 years old (average life expectancy of a horse is 20-30yrs) and needed to retire.  I briefly pondered on how we could possibly raise money for this project and then came up with a different approach.  The Prince George & North Central Success By 6 Initiative includes 7 rural communities and a LOT of horse country...why not see if someone in our network could donate a suitable horse?  I emailed all the table coordinators, and all the community Success By6 ECD tables in the North Central:

“Wanted, for a good cause:  A gentle, experienced horse that is accustomed to small (child) riders for donation to a volunteer program.” 

In a few short days, the responses started to pour in from ranches and horse owners willing to donate a horse to this amazing program.  Within two weeks, 6 suitable horses were contending for the job!  What a testament to the strength of our community networks. For me, this will be a lasting example of why Success By 6 doesn’t have to limit our help to young children by giving or raising money for programs, our strength is connecting people and communities.

Robert Moore
Success By 6
Prince George & North Central
Community Coordinator

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