Sudden Collapse Caught Operations Manager Off Guard (Image Credits: Static.fox4news.com)
Argyle, Texas — A brutal winter storm battered North Texas, collapsing horse shelter roofs at a beloved equine therapy nonprofit and prompting an urgent call for community assistance.
Sudden Collapse Caught Operations Manager Off Guard
David Kershen, operations manager at New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy, glanced out his window from a hilltop home two days before the report surfaced. He spotted horses acting erratically below.[1]
“It was two days ago, I just looked out my window from my house up on the hill and I noticed that the horses were going a little crazy down here and the roof had collapsed,” Kershen recounted. The heavy ice accumulation proved too much for structures expected to last a decade. Horses munched feed near a fence at the moment of collapse. They startled briefly before resuming their meal unharmed. Staff drew lessons from the 2021 winter storm, where frozen pipes posed problems, but no one anticipated this failure.[1]
Neighbors and Volunteers Rally with Swift Action
Cleanup efforts kicked off immediately on Wednesday. A crew of volunteers and nearby residents arrived equipped for the task.[1]
Tractors rumbled in alongside ladders. Teams demolished compromised sections and reinforced surviving roofs. Safety came first; workers scoured paddocks with magnets to retrieve stray nails and screws. Kershen praised the response: “We got tractors in here, and ladders, and we demoed everything and made the paddocks safe for the horses. We actually even went back through with magnets to make sure there weren’t any nails or screws left in there.”[1] Horses now roam freely without risk from debris.
New Hope’s Vital Role in Therapeutic Riding
The facility delivers equine-assisted therapy to children and adults facing disabilities. Sessions number 50 to 60 each week, fostering physical and emotional growth through horse interactions.[1]
Founded in 2012, New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy operates as a PATH Intl. center. Participants build strength, balance, and confidence via the human-horse bond. Demand remains high in North Texas, where disabilities affect over 11% of the population. Storm damage threatened this essential service, but operations persist amid repairs.
Rebuild Plans and Ways to Pitch In
A roofing expert visits next week to guide reconstruction. Leaders aim to complete sturdier shelters by spring, designed to withstand heavier loads. Kershen affirmed commitment: “We’ll ensure this doesn’t happen again. We’ll take down any of the remaining structure built like this, and we’re just gonna build it back stronger and something that will stand up even more snow and ice in the future if that were to ever happen.”[1]
The nonprofit launched a GoFundMe campaign targeting demolition and new builds.[1] Donations will safeguard future therapy sessions.
Key Takeaways
- No horses suffered injuries despite direct exposure to the collapse.
- Volunteers cleared hazards within hours, prioritizing animal safety.
- Stronger shelters ahead, funded by community contributions via GoFundMe.
New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy exemplifies resilience, where community spirit matches the healing power of its horses. Donations today ensure therapy continues uninterrupted tomorrow. What steps will you take to support this cause? Share your thoughts in the comments.
