A well-known horse stable in Chatham is hurting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
TJ Stables owner Terry Jenkins told Blackburn News she has been forced to sell 20 horses from the therapy and day camp programs because she couldn't afford to feed them. TJ Stables did receive a municipal grant for small businesses in January and Jenkins said that was a "happy day". However, the money only fed the horses for 14 days.
Another hurdle for the horse stable is the lack of summer day camps, which have all been cancelled as a result of the pandemic. Jenkins said the camps provided the revenue needed to feed the horses throughout the winter.
"We are trying, like everyone, to do the best we can to re-invent ourselves," said Jenkins. "Alas, still no camps for TJ Stables even in Phase 3."
Jenkins was waiting for summer camps to open in Phase 2 when it was allowed for the rest of the province and said she presented a comprehensive plan that "far out did any other Equine program in Ontario" to resume therapy and day camp programs in Phase 3 but wasn't successful. Jenkins said a GoFundMe page started by the community and some private donations helped feed the animals in April and May during the lockdown.
"It was humbling to be able to get that vote of confidence from our generous community," Jenkins said.
She said TJ Stables still offers trail rides and lessons but not to the same capacity it did before. The stable is offering some new services but Jenkins said it takes a while to get the word out and winter is coming fast.
Jenkins said the therapy program is doing private sessions only. The therapeutic program is for special needs and is usually a group program with 130 special needs riders and a volunteer base of 80. Due to COVID-19, only private programs will be offered with limited bubble volunteers.
A new family farm tour is also available with pony rides and a visit to the petting farm and the vegetable garden, where the children harvest vegetables for the animals, and collect eggs from the chickens. Plus, the Ojibway Spirit horses have plenty of new babies and staff can do a private tour of these rare Indigenous ponies with stories of their history. Dog boarding is also open and available but very few people are travelling these days.
She said she is doing the best she can and is not giving up yet. However, after 35 years it's "sad to see the business bleeding money and to see what once was."
"We will do our best to survive the winter and we will look much different in the future," she said. "I hope we don't have to decide if the hole we are digging becomes a grave for TJ Stables."