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The TEAD program in Mount Hope shut its doors last October over funding issues but today disabled riders were back in the saddle.

TEAD is “the equestrian association for the disabled” it’s a program that puts people with disabilities on the back of a horse. It looked like the program was being “put out to pasture” last december, when the stable doors were closed.

“Yes there were some financial issues and thank goodness we have an amazing board of directors who had to make a difficult decision last October, but have taken the winter to restructure the organization.” Hilary Webb, program manager.

The property was sold and is now being leased back from the new owner. TEAD will no longer have an executive director, Hilary Webb and other senior staff will handle the day to day operations, the board of directors will be responsible for keeping the doors open.

“The riders themselves pay for their lessons, but that only brings in a third of what we need to run the organization, so the rest has to come from fundraising dollars and that’s a huge commitment.”

There are currently 128 disabled riders taking part in the TEAD program, ranging anywhere in age from 2, to 60 and the volunteers say it’s clear how excited the riders are for each session. There is no longer a winter session, the spring session started today and will be followed by others in the summer and fall.