What's been a difficult and wet haying season for many farmers this year, had gotten much tougher for a family that offers horseback riding lessons in Dayton, Maine, because of the recent theft of their hay rake.
Equestrian therapy for those in need
LaDawn Quarter Horses Therapeutic Riding Center doesn't make much money offering therapeutic horse back riding and to cut costs they cut their own hay, so when their hay rake was stolen, it was a financial blow.
Elaine Lariviere runs the riding center with her husband and two daughters. Any rider can take lessons there, but her daughter Donna, specializes in occupational therapy, working with kids with autism or people in wheelchairs, even kids working through speech therapy.
Now, as of Wednesday morning they report that the stolen hay rake has been returned to LaDawn Quarter Horses in Dayton.
LaDawn Quarter Horses Therapeutic Riding Center doesn't make much money offering occupational therapy to people with disabilities and those who suffer through difficult injuries. To cut costs they cut their own hay; but a piece of equipment necessary to harvesting the hay had been stolen from their farm last weekend.
New, the hay rake that was stolen costs more than $10,000, but they recently bought it used at $5,000 to replace a 30-year old rake they had been using for a number of years.
Because they're in the business of helping others who are often in need themselves, an abundance of cash does not flow into the center. Elaine says they're constantly struggling with Maine Care or insurance companies, and when families can't pay, they have a hard time turning them away.
Still, they have 31 horses to feed, and losing this rake during peak haying season hurts their business. Now, at least with the return of their hay rake, they can continue the hard work of harvesting hay and feeding their horses.
To top it off, Elaine's husband was diagnosed with cancer in May.
Learn more about LaDawn Quarter Horses Therapeutic Riding Center