Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center

08/27/2026

🐴 Support Rising Hope while supporting animals across Pennsylvania! 🐾

We’re excited to share that Rising Hope Therapeutic Riding Center is one of the beneficiaries of United 4 Animals’ 2026 fundraising events! United 4 Animals raises funds through these events and distributes the proceeds among animal-focused nonprofits — including Rising Hope this year. 💚

🎟️ 2026 All-Cash Raffle

Tickets are $25 each or 5 for $100, with cash prizes of:

• $15,000 — 1st Prize
• $3,000 — 2nd Prize
• $2,000 — 3rd Prize

There’s also a $1,000 Early Bird cash prize for tickets purchased by September 20!

The drawing will be held October 25, and you do not need to be present to win. Check out the flyer for ticket locations and additional details.

🐾 NEW this year: Team Pull Tab Tournament!

If you enjoy pull tabs, grab some friends and put together a team! The tournament will be held Sunday, October 25 from 2–5 PM at The Mechanicsburg Club.

Teams can include 2–6 people, no experience is necessary, and there will be cash prizes. Space is limited to 24 teams, so anyone interested in participating is encouraged to reserve a spot. Details are on the attached flyer.

We’re grateful to United 4 Animals for including Rising Hope among the many organizations they are supporting this year. 🐴❤️

Please share and help us spread the word — supporting these events helps United 4 Animals continue supporting organizations like ours!

07/17/2026

Due to the wildfires in Canada, our area is experiencing a high level of smoke leading to decreased air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) provides information on how the air may effect us and our horses.

Smoke can cause eye irritation, respiratory irritation, exacerbate pre-existing respiratory conditions, and reduce lung function. Horses with *pre-exiting respiratory conditions* are at increased risk and should be kept in a cool area where they can be closely observed. Currently we are recommending avoiding forced exercise for all horses until the AQI improves.

If you have any questions or concerns, please be sure to contact your veterinarian.

07/12/2026

07/04/2026

Keep Equines Safe During Fireworks this Holiday Weekend

For many, fireworks are a cherished Fourth of July tradition. For equines and other animals, they can be one of the most stressful nights of the year. As prey animals, horses instinctively react to loud, unpredictable noises by trying to flee. That panic can lead to injuries, escapes, and even life-threatening emergencies.

Here are a few ways you can help your barn stay as safe as possible:

- Inspect your fencing.
Walk your pasture before celebrations begin and repair any loose boards, broken wire, or weak spots that could fail if a horse panics.

- Make sure your horse has identification.
Use a breakaway halter with an ID tag only if it's safe to do so, or braid an ID tag into the mane. Ensure your horse's microchip registration and photos are current in case they get loose.

- Remove hazards.
Clear buckets, trailers, equipment, or anything a frightened horse could run into.

- Keep their routine as normal as possible.
Feed and check your horses on their regular schedule. Familiar routines can help reduce stress.

- If possible, don't leave them alone.
Being nearby allows you to monitor them, but avoid putting yourself in danger if a horse begins to panic.

- Turn on barn or paddock lights.
A well-lit environment can reduce the startling effect of sudden flashes from fireworks.

- Play calming background noise.
A fan, radio, or quiet music may help mask some of the noise from distant fireworks.

- Choose the safest environment for your horse.
Some horses are calmer in a secure stall, while others do better in a familiar pasture with safe fencing. Choose what has worked best for your individual horse.

- Talk to your veterinarian in advance.
If your horse has a history of severe anxiety during fireworks, your veterinarian can discuss appropriate options before the holiday.

- Check in with neighbors.
If you own horses, don't hesitate to ask your neighbors if they plan to use fireworks so you can prepare accordingly. A simple conversation ahead of time can make all the difference and help keep both people and animals safe this Fourth of July.

A few minutes of celebration should never come at the expense of an animal's safety.

Help us spread the word by sharing these tips.
Together, we can help keep more animals safe this Fourth of July.

Wishing you a happy and safe Fourth of July! 🇺🇸❤️

FleetOfAngels.org
We Help Horses.

07/02/2026

Today marks the start of Disability Pride Month! It commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, and also highlights disability culture, history, and community pride. The 2026 theme is “The World Works Better With Us.”

To learn more about the disability pride flag and how you can support disability pride month, visit: https://loom.ly/RCHUE1c.

07/01/2026

🌾 Pasture-Associated Laminitis: How to Keep your Horse Safe

🌱 Lush pasture can increase laminitis risk. Spring and fall grasses often contain higher levels of sugar, starch, and fructans, which can trigger elevated insulin levels in susceptible horses.

⚠️ Metabolic horses are especially vulnerable. Horses with insulin resistance, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), or PPID (Cushing's disease) have a greater risk of developing pasture-associated laminitis.

🐴 Prevention starts with management. Monitoring body condition, limiting pasture intake when needed, choosing turnout times carefully, and providing a balanced diet can help reduce the risk of laminitis.

06/24/2026

🪰⚠️ New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in the United States for the first time in decades, making it an important issue for horse owners to be aware of.

As of June 2026, nine confirmed cases have been reported in the U.S., including cases in cattle, goats, and one dog in Texas and New Mexico. At this time, no cases have been reported in horses in the United States.

Unlike many other fly larvae that feed on dead tissue, New World Screwworm larvae invade and feed on living tissue. Female flies are attracted to wounds, surgical sites, navels of newborn animals, and natural body openings where they lay eggs. Once the larvae hatch, they burrow deeper into the tissue, causing painful, rapidly enlarging wounds that can become life-threatening if left untreated.

Horses can be affected if exposed to the fly, making early detection and wound management critical. Horse owners should monitor:
🔹 Any wound that suddenly worsens
🔹 Foul-smelling or draining lesions
🔹 Visible maggots in a wound
🔹 Swelling, irritation, or unusual behavior around an injury
🔹 Surgical sites, castration wounds, and umbilical areas in foals

If you suspect screwworm infestation, contact your veterinarian immediately. Early treatment is essential.

The good news is that veterinarians, state animal health officials, and federal agencies are actively monitoring and responding to confirmed cases. Staying vigilant and practicing good wound care remain the best defenses for horse owners.

🔗 For the latest confirmed case updates, visit:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world

🔗 To learn more about New World Screwworm in horses, read our article:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status/us-confirmed-cases-new-world

06/15/2026

🐴 Spots are still available for our Equine Grief Camps!

Children and teens who are grieving a significant, death-related loss can spend a meaningful day connecting with horses, building confidence, learning healthy coping skills, and finding support alongside peers who understand.

Hosted in partnership with Hope Therapeutic Riding Center, these camps offer a safe and compassionate environment where healing, connection, and growth can happen naturally.

📅 Choose your date:
• Saturday, July 11
• Friday, July 17
⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Space is limited. Learn more and register today:https://conta.cc/49Rys9V

06/13/2026

The results of a new study have confirmed what humans have suspected about horses for millennia: They can smell our fear, and it’s contagious.