Help the Herd Phase 3 - Current Fundraising Campaign
Thanks to generous donors, in 2021 the Help the Herd Committee had a successful fundraising campaign, raising $10,000 to provide comfort and vet care to our wonderful pack of horses.
In 2022, the Help the Herd Committee embarked on the second phase of its plan, with a campaign to raise $35,000. The funds were used for much needed shade in the turnout stalls, new round pen fencing, and advanced pet care for the Equestrian Center’s horses.
The Help the Herd committee is now ready to begin the third and final phase of its plan by establishing an ongoing fund to provide veterinary care and to purchase additional items for GRF horses, as well as to provide funding for upgrades and repairs to the Equestrian Center facility.
The two items to be funded as soon as possible are laser leveling work for the arena footing (for the safety and welfare of horses and riders) and the purchase of a new, smaller drag mat to be used in the round pen.
There is no budget for the third phase because the fund will remain open so donations can be made now and in the future to address needs as they incur.
The Help the Herd Fundraising Committee, comprised of riders, Saddle Club members, horse lovers, concerned citizens and the Village Community Fund, was created to assure the horses continue to thrive and are available to provide joy and happiness to Laguna Woods riders and visitors.
For more than 50 years, thirty resident horses housed at the Laguna Woods Equestrian Center stables have provided the community residents and their guests a unique way to enjoy the great outdoors. Now it’s the community’s opportunity to support the horses through the Help the Herd Fundraising Campaign.
Zak is as close as it gets to being the perfect horse! He is gentle and kind, comfortable to ride and so much fun. He can be counted on to build confidence with any rider. His adorable face and handsome quarter horse looks make him a favorite of everyone! At a spry 25 years young, he loves both working in the arena and on the trail. His favorite things to do are making silly faces, walking on trails and cantering very slowly around the arena. His least favorite thing to do is NOTHING – because he’s pretty much always a happy guy.
June Bug is a 25-year-old paint horse that has been with the program for almost a decade. He is as sassy as he is beautiful and finds all sorts of opportunities to share his opinion with staff and volunteers. When in his lessons though, he is all business and he loves to show off while he takes care of his riders. His favorite things in the world are treats, compliments, playing with Patrick and long walks on the trail.
If there was ever a horse made of only love and cuddles, it would be Mikey. He would like to spend his whole day in your pocket, being groomed and taking quiet walks with his best friends. He is gentle and trustworthy and a friend even to the grumpiest of horses and timid of riders. His preference is to walk or lope gently – there is no in between for this handsome red head. He was an English horse before he came to our program, so he is one of our most versatile horses and we look forward to fun with him in classes.