Rotorua's Riding for the Disabled service may have to start selling off its horses to pay for feed.
The non-profit RDA organisation has 20 horses ridden by disabled people of all ages and ability levels, from beginner through to Paralympic riders.
However, a bad batch of hayhas meant the service now faces a food crisis, and may have to sell horses to raise funds for feed.
How the hay went mouldy is the source of a dispute between the service and its supplier.
Volunteer student coach Ellie O'Brien, 17, loves being part of the organisation but is concerned the RDA is in crisis.
"I really love it. I just like watching the kids, what they get out of the riding, you can tell that it makes them better," Ellie said.
RDA had bought 2000 bales of hay to feed their horses in winter but about 1400 bales went mouldy.
Mouldy, dusty hay contains spores that can cause respiratory problems, especially with horses. It can also cause pregnant mares to have miscarriages.
The RDA is now getting by on the generosity of the public who have donated bales.
Secretary of the Riding for Disabled committee Julie O'Brien said about 50 bales of hay were donated but they now have around one-week's worth left for the horses.
"We're in a critical stage now," Mrs O'Brien said.
If the organisation doesn't get any hay or money to buy hay fast, Mrs O'Brien said they may have to resort to stopping the services alltogether and even start selling the organisation's horses within six to eight weeks.
"If we can't feed the horses we can't provide the services. At the end of the day it will be our disabled community that will miss out," she said.
As much as the organisation would like to continue to provide services, Mrs O'Brien said it just may not be possible.
