Current Needs

Here is our current list of most pressing needs to further improve the services we can offer.

• Truck – we currently borrow from our neighbors when we need to take the horses out to demos. However, this year we will start a Horse Boy Community Outreach Program (Horse Boy Cops), taking our horses and staff to where the kids really need them: into the heart of the city. Most kids with autism are living on or near the breadline. Their parents and careers may not have the time or money to bring them out to us. We however can bring the horses to them, right where they are. For this we need a F250 (or similar) diesel truck with gooseneck connection. $6,500
• Shed – we recently purchased a large shed to use as a bunk house for working students and also visiting families. We need to insulate, wire, drywall and furnish. $4,500
• Covered Round Pen – it gets hot in Texas and in some years it’s even been known to rain. Currently we rely on the woods for sheltered riding but we could serve our kids better if we had a dedicated dry and shady area for sensory work and academics on horse-back. $15,000
• Center Improvements – The inside of the New Trails Center is currently carpeted – a nightmare when it comes to muddy boots, dogs, rabbits, iguanas, ducks and the occasional equine visitor. We would like to take up the carpet and put down tough, easy to clean flooring. $3,500 – Although the New Trails Center has a porch, it is a relative small one and is exposed to the afternoon sun. We would like to build a larger shade area on the East side of the house, where kids can get out of the sun and or rain yet still have room to run and play. Because we won’t be putting down decking, the cost of this will be relatively modest.  $5,000 – Shaded parking: kids hate hot cars and autism spectrum kids are especially sensitive. We would like to build a shaded parking area large enough for four cars. So that when families drive home from the New Trails Center they can do so in a nice cool car. $5,000
• Fencing – We have recently been offered some wonderful grazing for the horses at a nearby location. However the acreage requires fencing and gates. We will also have to hire some help to pick up junk and scrap metal that is scattered there. $3,000
• Hay – Winter is coming and the drought isn’t breaking. Even with extra grazing come January we will still need hay. Prizes for round bales have skyrocketed in this rainless year: a round bale of coastal hay usually costs $60 for a 5’x6’ bale; now the price has risen to $120 for a smaller bale (4’x5’). If you like to buy us a round bale or two we would be very grateful. $120 is the going rate per bale

We thank you for your continued support.

~ Rupert & Rowan