S.O.S. Saving Our Senior Horses

As much as it pains me to have to ask for help, I find myself in the position of having no choice. In 2011, after 50 years of teaching horseback riding lessons, to literally thousands of students, my mother and I were informed that eminent domain proceedings would allow a massive road project to run through the middle of the property we lease. We attended public meetings, along with 500 supporters, as well as private meetings in an attempt to negotiate a way for the business, Woodlawn Stables (WoodlawnStables.com), to continue. It was all VERY stressful and in the Fall of 2011, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. She fought valiantly both against the disease and to save our family business. Sadly, in July 2012 she buckled under the weight of those battles and died in my arms. As a parent, she was very fearful of losing the business we had built and what it would mean for my future having put all our time and energy into forging a solid, reputable program. I continued the fight even though my heart was breaking. I managed to secure a property for our relocation although the closest I could find is still too far away from Woodlawn for most of our clients to continue with us.
In June 2014, the business relocated and rebranded as Claddagh Farm (CladdaghFarm.US). Since that time, I have been forced to continue paying rent at the old location due to the terms of the lease. My experience has shown that eminent domain does not offer much protection or incentive to tenants, just the land owners. As of this writing, 9 months later, I am paying rent, insurance and utilities on a property I am not using along with all the expenses of the new property and care of the horses. I have always kept fees as low as possible to make the sport accessible to EVERYONE and as a result I am not a wealthy person. I have sold my home and much of our equipment to raise money to keep things afloat. I think it is well known that horses are expensive. Their costs are the same whether they are working or not and currently they are not. I have had to wrangle with federal and state agencies, multiple lawyers and my landlords to try to get them to do the right thing after destroying my family business and so far, nothing has happened.
Of the 26 horses in my care, the majority are seniors or retired school horses which require additional medications and treatments to keep them comfortable and happy. Those additional expenses, on top of the normal costs of: grain, hay, shoeing, deworming, dentals, veterinary care and vaccinations have left me with debt for the first time in decades. Unfortunately, the situation has forced me to ask for your help in keeping with my mission of providing these wonderful horses a safe home FOR LIFE. No donation is too small and all are appreciated as I work out how to continue to provide for these treasured horses in their golden years and build a new business from scratch in a new market. I have set the goal at $12,000 which covers one month of expenses. Please feel free to share this information. With Love and Gratitude, Cindy Mitchell