Grant Description

Requesting sand for our horse-riding arena. We need a 3 inch top-layer of sand to provide safe, soft, and secure footing for the horses and humans who participate in this component of the program.

Tracking Metric

Description
Wilderwood’s horse-riding arena is integral to delivery of its program: the first equine-assisted curriculum designed by autistics for autistics. The Problem: Animal and human welfare is paramount in our program. We have, however, quite possibly the worst type of ground for an arena: silty, fine clay soil. When it is wet, it is muddy, boggy, and extremely slippery; when dry, the silty fine particles create a dusty haze (like “Pig-Pen” in Peanuts), resulting in respiratory and visual hazards for horses and humans alike. The Solution: We have done our research to solve this problem, and in the process received a range of quotes including one for $118,000 (special vulcanized rubber footing, apparently). In the end, we identified a perfectly satisfactory – and more cost effective – solution with a layer of basecourse (to prevent the sand being sucked down into the ground and aquifer) followed by a 3 inch top-layer of sand. We have secured the basecourse, volunteer hours to groom and lay the sand, and are now requesting a grant for the sand itself. Once the project is complete, the arena will have a safe, cushioned, and secure footing that will ensure the health and safety of the horses, participants, instructors, and volunteers – both in the coming year and long after the term of the grant.

Goal
30