Drive-Thru Animal Tour Helps Equine Rescues Hit Hard By Pandemic

RIVERHEAD, NY — As the region continues to grapple with the impacts of the coronavirus, a new tour has been created to help the the equine industry, hit hard by the pandemic.

Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue, located at 2746 Sound Avenue in Riverhead, has partnered with Neptune Feed & Saddlery and the Long Island Equine Trail to help support the equine industry on Long Island by launching an island-wide initiative featuring a 30-minute, contactless Long Island Drive-Thru Animal Tour.

The "family friendly, educational and social distancing experience" will be held every Saturday and Sunday through the month of July at Spirit’s Promise Rescue, a release said.

While every business has been impacted by COVID-19, "within the equine industry this holds especially true for the equine rescues who operated on limited recourses prior to the pandemic," the release said.

The ticketed drive-thru tour will provide equine rescues on Long Island with financial support to provide critical care to the animals that offer equine therapy, recreation and jobs throughout the region.

"The young and the young at heart alike will have the opportunity to reconnect with nature and the farm's four-legged residents from the safety of their cars," the release said. "Families will enjoy fresh air while being educated about the animals' history and will have access to a digital map on their smartphone, which will showcase photos and fun facts about each animal."

Online reservations are required, a face mask must be worn at all times, and time slots are limited.

Tickets can be purchased here.

“We’ve had to pivot our barn operations to be able to offer our services while keeping everyone safe. We are committed to continue to work together to bring the equine community to every household,” said Marisa Striano, founder of Spirit's Promise Equine Rescue.

Inspired by Spirit's Promise "Equine Rescues Hay For Horses Mobile Food Pantry" hosted at Tanger Outlets Riverhead during Giving Tuesday on May 5, the Neptune Feed & Saddlery collaboration "will support increasing the frequency of the horse mobile food pantry throughout all of Long Island for equine organizations going through economic challenges," so that they can receive free food for their animals, the release said.

An economic impact study conducted by The American Horse Council shows that the New York State’s equine industry is the second largest agribusiness in New York, providing the state with $5.3 billion in economic impact and generating 42,400 full-time jobs for New Yorkers, Striano's release said.

The horse industry, she said, also does its part for the preservation of green space, with approximately 1.3 million acres currently used for horse-related purposes. The equine industry, she said, is active in every one of New York’s 62 counties.

The Long Island Equine Trail provides a platform to collaboratively advocate for the equine culture on Long Island for both Nassau and Suffolk Counties, the release said.

The goal of the Trail is to inspire the public to develop an appreciation of the equine industry in areas including equine leisure, competition, racing, social avenues, work and rescue.

“When you visit a Long Island equine destination, you share in the pride we have for the people, places and passion for horses,” said Diane Tucci of Main Street Agency. “Our firm is leading digital storytelling for these efforts. My daughter personally volunteers at a local equine rescue and growing up on a farm on the North Fork, this work couldn’t be closer to my heart.”

For additional information about the Long Island Drive-Thru Farm Animal Tour, click here.