THREE wise men arrive on horseback. Shepherds bring real sheep and there’s a cow dressed up as a reindeer. Welcome to the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy’s carol service, which draws in a sell-out crowd of some 400 people for some festive cheer.
This week, Fortune – which provides equine-facilitated further education, social care and weekly riding therapy for those with learning disabilities and difficulties, mental health needs and mild physical disabilities – staged this annual Christmas event. As well as a nativity performance, there is a Christmas market, selling local honey and pet gifts, a Santa with live reindeer and plenty of food and drink, including hot chocolate with Baileys.
The Fortune Centre’s Fay Atkins says: “Students and horses take part, so we never know quite how it will go! For the students, the performance is often a challenge as many of them find crowds difficult. But they rise to the challenge and the horses help them stay calm. It is always a truly magical evening.”
The event is “not a money-maker”, says Fay, with tickets costing just £2. Instead, it marks the end of the year, “capturing the spirit of the college and our amazing students”. However, there are collection buckets and the centre’s Sponsor a Horse scheme is promoted.
Although raising funds is not the aim of this event, Christmas is a time for giving. And the concept of swapping traditional gifts for a charity donation is on the rise, which can only be a boost for horse charities. Donations can be anything from a full sponsorship of a racehorse going for retraining, some funding towards research into horses’ health or a bag of carrots for a grateful rescue pony. It all makes a difference.
HERE4HORSES is run entirely by volunteers. It operates a network of locations offering rescue, refuge and rehab to horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.
This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
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This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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