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November 6, 2008
The Carriage Barn Therapy Program asks you to help us. We are in serious financial need. Our great therapy and carriage driving horse, Thor, was rushed to colic surgery Saturday night, November 1st. All of the work of SRH Veterinary Services, New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center, Dr. Robert Orcutt, Dr. Janet Wojciechowski, and our occupational therapist, Michelle Bragdon-Place could not make him better. He struggled very stoically through Sunday and Monday, appeared to be somewhat better Tuesday morning and then had a serious relapse Tuesday afternoon. The veterinary bills for him are in excess of $10,000. If you could please help us with donations toward his medical expenses, we would be extremely grateful. Only once or twice in your lifetime as a horse person do you meet a perfect horse. We are sorry that we cannot show you all the pictures of Thor with kids as young as a year old on his back and the ninety year old driving with him in an antique carriage. Suffice it to say, we cannot at this time measure the depth of our sorrow in losing him.
Thor was imported from The Netherlands in September 1990. He is one of five sons of Brusvein I 51, one of the finest stallions in the history of the Norwegian Fjord breed. Thor spent most of his formative years doing dressage, carriage driving, and jumping. Thor resided at our therapeutic riding facility where he taught under saddle and carriage driving to a wide range of clients.He was such a sweetheart. He worked with our very small babies who are as young as one year old. Our occupational therapist and her assistant were able to manipulate these children from his massive back.
Thor was used in our kids driving program. Sam, Jack, and Michael drove him on the road this past Summer during the Kids Driving Camp. Their ages range from seven to fourteen. The three of them have been driving since they were five. Thor also helped with our Salvation Army summer camp program for the homeless. Encouraging little girls to love big horses with big hearts.
One of our favorite memories is Thor pulling an antique Hayford carriage. The great, great grandson, David Hayford, came to Newton, New Hampshire to see if there was any remnant of his family’s carriage business. We found him a Hayford carriage, which is owned by ninety year old Forrest Reynolds. We all held our breath as Mr. Hayford, Thor, and Mr. Reynolds went out for a jaunt in the neighborhood. Thor was magnificent. Not a misstep, not an attitude, just enjoyed a wonderful sunny day.We also have adult clients who loved and trusted Thor on their weekly trail rides. Pam O’Brien was terrified of riding, but had heard through the Multiple Sclerosis Society that it might be helpful. She started with two side walkers, a leader, and an instructor and now she is able to ride independently. She is so pleased to come here once a week, meet friends at the barn, and take her gently giant, Thor, to places she would never be able to go.
Thor’s last public appearance was our Halloween Show. All of the kids were grouped in one hour slots where they had costume class, under saddle class, and trail class. Thor did three sets of classes and brought home wonderful ribbons for all of his kids.
As you can see, Thor was one of the cornerstones of our program. Donations can be made to The Carriage Barn Therapy Program. Please mark your donation "THOR" and send it to:
Attn: Michele Shepherd
The Carriage Barn Therapy Program
6 Sarah’s Way
Newton, NH 03858
Thank you very much.
Ann Miles
Executive Director
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