FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER

A HORSE CAN CHANGE A LIFE! HORSEBACK RIDING AND INTERACTION WITH HORSES RESULTS IN MANY PHYSICAL AND MENTAL BENEFITS, INCLUDING IMPROVED STRENGTH AND BALANCE AND INCREASED INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM. THE CENTER PROVIDES EQUINE PROGRAMS TO MORE THAN 900 INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS ANNUALLY. WITH THE HELP OF 250 VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY (TYPICALLY SERVING APPROXIMATELY 15,000 SERVICE HOURS PER YEAR) AND 35 EQUINE PARTNERS, THE CENTER IS ABLE TO SUPPORT "LITTLE VICTORIES AND BIG IMPACTS" EVERY DAY! THE CENTER OFFERS A DIVERSE RANGE OF SERVICES. IN ADDITION TO THE LARGEST PROGRAM OF THERAPEUTIC RIDING, THE "GAITWAY HIGH SCHOOL" IS AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS WHO THRIVE (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) BEST IN A NON-TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT. THIS EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAM IS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN TEACHING JOB AND LIFE SKILLS DUE TO THE MOTIVATION OF THE HORSES AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT. TO DATE, 103 STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED. ADDITIONALLY, MORE THAN 200 VETERANS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES PARTICIPATE IN SPECIALIZED PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS THEM COPE WITH AND OVERCOME THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL CHALLENGES OF MILITARY SERVICE. OTHER OFFERINGS INCLUDE SUMMER CAMP, CARRIAGE DRIVING, HIPPOTHERAPY, A MOBILE MINIATURE HORSE PROGRAM, A READING PROGRAM AND EQUINE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING. RIDERSHIP SPONSORS MAKE THERAPEUTIC RIDING FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE FOR OUR PARTICIPANTS. DONATIONS SUBSIDIZE 75% OF THE LESSON COST FOR ALL. IN ADDITION, 92% OF THE SCHOOLS AND GROUPS NEED ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT, AS WELL AS 77% OF THE OVERALL STUDENT POPULATION. ESSENTIAL ACADEMIC, PHYSICAL, AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS ARE DERIVED FROM SIGNIFICANT FUNDRAISING EFFORTS FOR THE RIDERSHIP PROGRAM.