EGREMONT, Mass. — Blue Rider Stables has been in quarantine for weeks after a rabid skunk wandered onto the farm and bit one of the horses. 

 

The incident has left the nonprofit organization with no income until December. 

 

"We have a full time staff, we have payroll. We have vet bills. The vet had to come and boost everyone, all the members of the herd," said Don Chester, chair of the stable's board of directors. 

 

"After this incident, we have ongoing veterinary care."

 

A GoFundMe was started with a goal set to $30,000 to get the charity through the six week quarantine, as of Tuesday, it had raised just over $25,000.

 

Blue Rider Stables has been offering therapeutic horseback riding as well as lessons and other programs for 34 years. 

 

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, while rabid skunks are uncommon, they also carry the highest risk for rabies if they bite or scratch. Horses aren't immune to rabies though they make up less than 1 percent of cases. According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, cases in equines range from 25 to 82 a year. 

 

The horse at Blue Rider was bitten on Oct. 11 and immediately quarantined. The skunk was taken and tested positive for rabies on Oct. 17. 

 

The equines get annual rabies vaccinations and all have received a booster since Oct. 11. However, the stables was was required to isolate its animals for 45 days, until Dec. 1, to be safe. 

 

Not only has its revenue been affected but also the horses used in the stable's programs.

 

"It's an extra burden on the horses, because they're not doing their normal program, and they're not doing their usual communication with the people that ride those horses," said Chester.

 

"Being a therapeutic riding stable, it's the interaction between the rider and the horse. And it's amazing what the horse gets out of it, besides what the rider gets out of it. So it's really a two-way street, and that whole communication has been severed severely. So staff's making up for what we can to keep the herd. Had to get the herd engaged, and so the staff's working harder and working longer hours."

 

Blue Rider has a dozen horses and donkeys. It offers programs for physical, emotional, cognitive and social therapy to build strength, perception, balance, emotional awareness and problem solving. It also offers riding lessons for adults and children, and horse and stable management. 

 

Chester said the community has really come together to help the nonprofit through this difficult time, and it has led the staff to think about new programs.

 

"Thanks to the generosity of the community, we're able to keep the lights on, keep the staff paid, keep the horses safe and well kept, and we've done some other stuff," he said. "A couple of brilliant instructors that are now coming up with alternate programs so that we have a helper program, where the kids come after school — instead of being able to ride the horse, because they're not allowed to interact with the herd — now, they're coming up with non-horse type training, lessons and things."

 

Not only have the horses been affected but the clients who are aided throug the programs. 

 

Chester said Blue Rider has a "unique setting and a unique program," that serves students from Stanton Home, a residence and day program for people with development abilities in Great Barrington, and other group homes. 

 

"Those residents don't get to interact with animals, don't get much outdoor activity," he said. "Don't get the riding on a horse and the physical bond that you get between the horse and the human. 

 

"So interruption of that kind of program for our student population affects them, too. You know, they miss us and we miss them, and so we can't wait for Dec. 1."

 

The stable plans to host a gathering or grand opening of some sort once it is able to welcome back the community.

 

"We don't know yet, but there'll be something special, and both express our gratitude and to alert the public that we are, in fact, back open for business," Chester said.