In spring of 2001, Emerald Hollow Farm began as a small boarding and rescue farm, taking in older and unwanted horses who needed a forever home. After a few years we added a horseback riding lesson program for children and adults. In the spring of 2010 we were contacted by Latham Centers and began a weekly therapeutic riding program. It was then that the magic happened as we watched the horses we loved so much bring such joy and self-esteem to individuals with special needs. In addition to learning to ride, the students also learned how to safely handle and care for their mounts and we watched the bond between student and horse grow even deeper. Shortly after Latham Centers began riding with us, we were contacted by Cape Abilities to run a similar program for them. In addition, we began to be contacted by families and individuals who were also interested and in need of a therapeutic riding and horsemanship program. Due to the wonderful results and the tremendous response from the riders and their families, by 2014 the therapeutic program had grown to the extent where additional staffing, volunteers, and equipment was needed and we began to pursue the dream of finding like-minded and like-spirited individuals to help us form a separate, nonprofit corporation that would allow us to assist countless other riders with special needs. Six wonderful men and women stepped up to the challenge and volunteered their time and talents to serve as Board of Directors and in May of 2015, “Emerald Hollow Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc.” was established.
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