Ice-laden roofs collapsed at a therapeutic horse riding center in North Texas this week, narrowly missing the animals that provide life-changing experiences for people with disabilities.
New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy in Argyle discovered multiple shelter roofs had buckled under the weight of accumulated ice from a recent winter storm on Wednesday. The non-profit organization, which provides 50 to 60 therapeutic horseback rides weekly for children and adults with disabilities, reported no horses were injured in the incident — a stroke of luck amid the structural damage.
“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,” said David Kershen, operations manager at New Hope, in an interview with local media outlets.
The timing could hardly have been more fortunate. “They were actually just eating in their feed buckets along the front of the fence whenever the roof fell. They turned around, freaked out a little bit and then sort of went back to eating,” Kershen added, describing the horses’ surprisingly calm reaction to what could have been a catastrophic event.
A Mission of Healing
Founded in 2012 by Dave and Sharla Kershen, New Hope has established itself as a vital resource for the disability community in the region. The non-profit’s therapeutic riding programs have helped countless individuals, but the organization faces consistent financial challenges. Lesson fees cover only about half of operational costs, with the remainder coming from donations, according to the organization’s website.
How will they recover from this setback? The organization already maintains an active fundraising calendar, including their upcoming 4th Annual Hope Gala scheduled for September 26, 2025, at Lucky Spur Ranch in Justin, Texas, and their 11th Annual Sporting Clay Shoot Fundraiser. These events now take on added importance as the center faces unexpected repair expenses.
Despite the structural damage, New Hope continues looking forward. The organization is already preparing for Chisholm Challenge 2026, set for January 13-15 next year — a special week dedicated to showcasing equine therapy programs and their impact.
The center has established a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of rebuilding the damaged shelters. Community members wishing to support New Hope’s recovery efforts can contribute through their GoFundMe page.
For now, the horses and their human partners continue their therapeutic work under makeshift arrangements — a testament to the resilience that defines both the animals and the people they help heal.
