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Winter is Coming! Help the Herd at Berkshire HorseWorks

2 Ways to Donate to the Winter Care Fund

By Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. October 27, 2021

Winter is just around the corner and for us at Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc., that means increased costs to care for our therapy herd of seven horses and donkeys. In the cold and wet weather we have to feed everyone extra to keep them warm and healthy. In fact, they can get belly aches called colic just from being in cold temperatures so we have to give them special treats like warm beet pulp and sweet feed to keep them safe! Also, because the Ranch is located on a hill (which the horses love in the warmer months), ice can be a problem in the paddocks, on surrounding trees, and on their exercise trail which can get slippery and dangerous. Did you know we have to fit them with special shoes just to keep them from slipping?








The best way to cope with the upcoming winter is to be proactive as well as prepared. At Berkshire HorseWorks, our mission is to help our horses facilitate change and be there for you as their best selves. Without a winter care fund to remove downed trees, spread sand, and wood chips, and remove debris, we will be challenged to give them the best experience possible during frigid and windy months. We are asking for your help in raising a Winter Care Fund to ensure a safe and warm winter for our animal friends.


Meet some of the wonderful animals in the Berkshire HorseWorks family who you will be supporting with your donation:




Zephyr

A 17-year old Dutch Warmblood with "kissing spine" who can no longer be ridden. 

Zephyr specializes in helping kids set safe boundaries as he loves to be in your space & lick your face!





Gunnar

Gunnar is an 18-year old Arabian Cross fresh out of surgery and fighting cancer, 

but doing great! He loves playing "catch me if you can," and is

currently conditioning to bring back his strength and topline. 






007: AKA Dubs, Dubalicious and Dubadoodle

At 21-years young, Dubs is our elder statesman.

He's a great therapy horse and trail guide, who has earned some special love. 

Every girl in the Berkshires has won ribbons on this dark bay horse,

but he was retired from a lesson program because of a mild navicular. 

Pro tip: He gives hugs for mints!  





Spirit 
Spirit is the alpha of the herd. Now 15-years old, he was rescued after being worked too young on a cattle ranch out west. He is a Medicine Hat Paint with “two glass eyes “ meaning they're icy blue. He came from Malta, Montana, where members of the Blackfeet Reservation looked to him for guidance. 
His job is to keep everyone safe, both horse and human. 
He helps people with trauma and carries little ones on his back. 
The way to his heart? Tickle his gums and he gets goofy!




Hershey Park

Hershey is our visiting  24-year old Paint Pony with a courageous heart and a funny personality.  

His favorite thing to do is chase the big boys and jump up to bite them on the nose 

and then run away like the wind! 

He loves being dressed up no matter what the occasion!




Rodeo & Bolt

 Rodeo is a 10-year old miniature Sicilian donkey with half a tail and is the official donkey mascot of Phoenix Theatres Beacon Cinema in Pittsfield, MA.  

He and his brother Bolt, love to go for walks on the neighbor's lawn and eat the grass without permission!




Berkshire HorseWorks is a 501(C)3 organization that relies on generous donations to provide life-changing services. If you appreciate the work that we do and enjoy following along with the adventures of our wonderful animal friends, please consider making a donation to reach our goal. These animals truly deserve the very best life and it's because of your support that we can ensure a wonderful and safe forever home for them. If you are unable to donate, please share with friends and family! Help us make the winter as comfortable as possible for our loving animals.

Here are TWO ways you can help the herd:

1) Grab your family, your friends, your classmates, or your homeschool pod and sponsor your favorite furry friend! Giving Projects are a wonderful opportunity for a group of young people to make an impactful difference.

  • Adopt an animal for a month or a year!  (Contact BHW for more information)
  • Have a birthday coming up? Consider setting up a fundraiser for your favorite animal to raise funds!
  • Bake sale
  • Garage sale
  • Charity run or Bike ride
  • Sponsored walk event
  • Come up with a creative idea of your own!

*Sponsors will receive a free “Hug a Donk” session for 5 friends or family.

2) Help us hit our Berkshire HorseWorks HAY FUND Goal of $7000 for 1000 bales of hay to keep our donkeys and horses fed and full until spring! DONATE HERE

Your participation and donations will help us feel confident that we will have the resources we need to keep everyone healthy and comfortable this winter. Without the generosity of donors and volunteers, Berkshire HorseWorks would not exist! Over the last nine years, we have helped over 1800 children, families, and veterans in our community. Please help us keep this little ranch going when families need it most. Any and all amounts of support make a difference in the lives of these special animals.

In addition to donations, supporters can also contact us about volunteer work on the Ranch. To learn more about becoming a sponsor, donations, or volunteering your time, contact us at (413) 698-3700 or email info@berkshirehorseworks.com.

For more information about Berkshire HorseWorks and our mission, visit www.berkshirehorseworks.org.

Berkshire HorseWorks, Inc. 101 Patton Road, Richmond.