Conscious Party: Healing with horses

WHAT: Winter’s Tale, a fundraiser for Equinox Horse Foundation

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 5, 5-10 p.m.

WHERE: Wysteria Inn, 56 N. Main St., Weaverville

WHY: The Equinox Horse Foundation is a new program, bringing horses and humans together for healing. The foundation offers compassionate riding services to differently abled, as well as typically abled, folks and raises funds for Therapeutic Riding and Equine Assisted Therapy programs and financial assistance for those unable to pay.

“We want people to understand how helpful and empathic horses are, how they empower people with challenges,” says EHF president and therapeutic riding instructor Lori Araki. “Horses are highly perceptive; they do not judge, and they often match their personality to that of the rider without the rider realizing it themselves.”

To jump-start this new program, EHF is presenting an evening of fun, frolic and fantasia based on the Mark Helprin novel Winter’s Tale. The film based on the book will be screened during the event. Chestnut roasting, actors, acrobats, performances by Opera Creations and horse-drawn carriage rides are also in store.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the Equinox Horse Foundation’s expenses, such as leasing horses for therapeutic activities, facility costs and insurance, which is one of the foundation’s most significant expenses, Araki says. Attendees and others interested in donating to EHF may also purchase clothing items online at cafepress.com, where 10 percent of purchases will benefit the foundation.

Tickets for the event are $40 and include a carriage ride with a picture, the film screening, hors d’oeuvres and libations. Carriage rides are available separately for $10 (get a picture for $5 more). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit equinoxhorse.weebly.com or call 208-0967. — Michael McDonald 

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About Michael McDonald
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