There are fears for a purpose-built equine club in west Dublin.
Clondalkin Equine Club, which helps young people stay in school, is in danger of closing if funding is not found.
The club, which has up to 200 service users a week, says it has been unable to secure long-term funding.
The club offers a livery service to horses owned by children in Clondalkin and Lucan South, continuing a tradition of urban horse ownership in the area.
Before the pandemic, it provided access to the stables for children from the local primary and secondary schools - and for those involved with other external agencies.
The club is appealing to the Government to provide core funding, and is also looking to the private sector for help.
Opened in 2017, the club says it provides a supportive and holistic environment for children and their families to "give them a sense of belonging within their community."
Seán Duff's 14 year-old son has a pony at the centre.
He says: "Clondalkin is the kind of place that would swallow you up if you let it.
"And this is a place for the kids to come: the gates are closed, it's a safe place, they're happy."
Development manager Rachel Maher says they are facing imminent closure.
"It's hard to say what is going to happen to the members and the horses if it does close.
"I suppose they have to go somewhere; and I'm not saying they're going to go in a field up the road.
"But at the end of the day, places like this, there's a bigger picture going on".
Yard supervisor Jessica Grogan says they help keep children in school, teach them riding skills and how to look after their horses.
"If they were stuck in a field and they're being abused and starved - we're trying to teach them how to do it the good way.
"There is a lot of cruelty in the country, and we're trying to help to solve that".
Some €800,000 has already been invested in the club that also works with local community groups.
However it says core funding of €60,000 per year is needed to allow it to develop and to continue serving the community.
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
