Breaking News: Accomplishments

ONE OF A HANDFUL IN NATION!

Mane Stream is proud to announce that Melanie Dominko-Richards, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS recently became a Board Certified Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist!

How big of an honor is this? She is one of a handful of Speech-Language Pathologists with this designation in the nation!

PATH CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR

Becoming a certified instructor is an extensive process and one that come with a cost. Mane Stream would like to thank Matt Kamine for providing the funds necessary for Jane Banta to become our newest PATH Certified Instructor.

This summer Jane passed this multi-day test with flying colors!

Cancelled - Movies with Mane Stream

EVENT CANCELLED

WE ARE SORRY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE SHOWING OF SECRETARIAT THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

PLANS ARE ALREADY IN THE WORKS FOR A SPRING "MOVIES WITH MANE STREAM" AND WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US. 

Snuggle up with Spirit Wear!

Mane Stream's got you covered this fall.

We have many options to help YOU stay warm whether you are
hangin' at home, volunteering at the barn
OR
helping at the Fall Horse Show. 

Store Closes 9/10 @ midnight with an expected Delivery of 10/4

SHOW YOUR MANE STREAM PRIDE...

** Don't forget **
the holidays are right around the corner. Get your holiday gifts for people now and you'll be ahead of the game!

Book Signing at Movies with Mane Stream

Therapy Horses: Horses That Heal

Prior to the start of the showing of Secretariat on Sept. 8th, local animal book author, Loren Spiotta-DiMare of Tewksbury will have a book signing with her children’s chapter book:  Therapy Horses: Horses That Heal.

Michelle Purri of Clinton graces the cover of the book with the author’s Quarter Horse, Elwood. As a young girl, Michelle was a participant at Somerset Hills Handicapped Riders (renamed Mane Stream). Riding was her favorite activity. “When she reached her early twenties, she began taking lessons on my horse,” the author says.  “I’m so proud of Michelle. She and Elwood have a special bond and I believe it shows in their cover photo.” 

During the research phase of the book, Spiotta-DiMare interviewed many people affiliated with Mane Stream including the then director, therapists, volunteers and participants’ parents.

Spiotta-DiMare has been writing animal books for adults and children for forty years. Over the course of her career, she has had 19 books published and numerous magazine articles.  Recognized by the Dog Writers Association of America, Humane Society of the United States, Doris Day Animal Foundation, USA Book News and New Jersey Press Women, Loren’s work has been published both nationally and internationally.  

A portion of proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Mane Stream. If you would like to purchase a copy (hardcover:  $20.00 softcover:  $10.00) but are unable to attend the movie, contact Loren at author@LorensReadingRoom.com

Movies with Mane Stream featuring Secretariat on Sept. 8th at 7:30pm
PURCHASE YOUR MOVIE TICKETS NOW

Girls Scouts Shake It Up

Equine Manager and Head Instructor Jen Dermody shakes it up using the Theraplate.

No, these Girl Scouts from Troop 82137 of Eastern Pennsylvania are not weighing themselves. They are standing on a device called a Theraplate which uses small vibrations to increase circulation for pain reduction and injury prevention in horses. Did you know that Mane Stream also has a human-sized version in the therapy clinic that therapists use with clients?

The troop of Junior Girls Scouts visited Mane Stream to earn their Horseback Riding badge. Equine Manager & Head Instructor Jen Dermody guided them through an afternoon of education and fun, including basic horse care and the fundamentals of riding. Besides grooming and tacking, part of the learning experience included “Post-it Horse Anatomy” on our very patient and cooperative friend Justin.

Mane Stream is a perfect field trip destination for Scouts and many other groups of all abilities. For more information, including worksheets and games to enhance your group’s experience, check out our Field Trip page on the website or contact Jen Dermody at jen@manestreamnj.org if you’d like to ask questions or arrange a visit.

Thank you troop leader Carol Kontir for allowing us
 to spend the afternoon with this great group                                  of Junior Girl Scouts!

Volunteers Demo at 2nd Annual Pony Up!

Special thanks to our volunteers Tara Pfunke, Amy Barkman, Samantha Gonzalez, Bridget & Mary Ann Torcivia for all of their help representing Mane Stream at Pony Up 2017!  

On June 17th, at the gorgeous United States Equestrian Team facility, Breyer held their 2nd Annual Pony Up! event. Though it was a rainy day in Gladstone, volunteers from Mane Stream, along with Minnie, a hard-working member of our herd, demonstrated what both volunteers and horses do at Mane Stream. 
 
Intended to help introduce children under 17 years old to the world of horses,  attendees could “meet and greet” different horse breeds such as quarter horses, Mane Stream’s own Minnie the Norwegian Fjord, and draft horse. There were also pony rides, a petting zoo and human ‘showjumping’ contests. The Zemi Farms vaulters performed and there was even a unicorn and princess on site taking pictures with attendees. 

Several local stables also had tents and answered parents' questions about the cost of getting into equestrian sports and how to get started. This event was a great way for Mane Stream and other stables to show potential equestrians and parents that everyone can get involved in the sport of horseback riding, both typical riding and adaptive riding. 

Hooked on Mane Stream and you could be too!

Laura once owned her own horse and has a clear love for the horses in our barn. She explained how Ian, one of the Norwegian Fjord horses was her “first crush” at the barn, and even had her oldest son, also named Ian come in to meet his horse “twin!”

Volunteer Spotlight:
Laura Edelson

Like many other Mane Stream volunteers, Laura loves being able to come to the barn and commune with the horses, but her favorite moments occur in lessons, when riders accomplish some of their goals. “It’s amazing when riders reach a milestone,” she said while reflecting on some of her favorite moments as a sidewalker. One memory which stood out to her was watching a rider with no previous knowledge of horses progress into a confident and independent rider at the trot.

A retired teacher looking to volunteer, Mane Stream sparked Laura's interest because she could combine two of her passions, kids and horses. She waited for over a year to start her journey as a volunteer until she moved closer to Oldwick. As with most volunteers, Laura wanted to give something back, and with talents as an educator and equestrian, she knew her newly found free time would be put to good use at Mane Stream.

Since joining Mane Stream three months ago, Laura has clocked in approximately 80 hours. The total will increase even more rapidly this summer since she is now volunteering 4 times a week as a header and sidewalker for Adaptive Riding, Therapy Sessions and Horses for Healing.  

Laura stated she enjoys the close-knit and warm setting of Horses for Healing which is a FREE equine assisted activities program for those living with, recovering from and living life after cancer. She feels the program enables volunteers and riders to bond together during lessons, making the program even more dynamic.

It’s obvious that Laura is enjoying her time here and is committed to becoming even more comfortable with the herd which is why she is receiving additional training on active leading.

Laura offered encouragement to those looking to get involved at Mane Stream but are worried about not being able to volunteer a lot of hours. “It’s very rewarding and if you can only volunteer for 2 hours a week, it’s totally worth those 2 hours a week.” Volunteers are at the core of what is possible at Mane Stream, and no time commitment is too small.

Laura, we are so glad you found Mane Stream,
and we thank you for all of your recent hard work
and obvious dedication!

If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, start the process now by checking out when the next orientation & training sessions are scheduled.  Volunteer Opportunities

Life's a Beach at Mane Stream

Deloitte's Impact Day

At least that’s what the newly decorated bulletin board says thanks to the Deloitte employees who came to Mane Stream on June 9 for a day of exercise, fresh air and HARD WORK. When several of the more creative Deloitte employees were tasked with decorating the bulletin board with a summer beach theme in preparation for our campers, they came up with this...  

Life's a Beach at Mane Stream! Each of the herd has their own specially designed each blanket.

As part of a corporate program known as Impact Day, these energetic and enthusiastic folks spent most of the day doing all kinds of chores around the farm, from scrubbing stalls to organizing summer craft supplies as well as the already large quantity of donated items for the upcoming Fall Tack Sale.  Thanks to the team that worked diligently sorting, folding and cleaning the storage area, the campers now have a nice cool area to meet in the morning and work on crafts in the afternoon. Having this large covered area also enables the campers space to continue activities during rainy days.

In March 2017 Deloitte was named to People magazine's list of 50 Companies That Care, recognizing companies that show extraordinary compassion for their people, the community, and the environment.

We are so grateful to these generous Deloitte Employees for all the work they did and we hope they enjoyed getting away from their desks and learning more about what we do                       here at Mane Stream.

Additional thanks go out to Stephanie Ringler and Samantha Gonzalez who helped coordinate the activities and Shannon Ringler who took lots of awesome pictures (which we hope to get soon)!

CLOSED! Next store opens late summer. Online Apparel Store Open NOW!

YOUTH, UNISEX, WOMEN'S
There's something for everyone whether you are a
Camper, Rider, Client or Volunteer!

Show your Mane Stream Pride...
wear our logowear while you volunteer at the farm, at school, the gym or around town to help spread awareness of all that YOU do for the participants that ride or receive therapy at Mane Stream.

(store closes at midnight on 6/28)

 

Don't miss out on this
limited edition
Mane Stream Logo T-Shirt

Thank you for the awesome design Madison Scott! Check out more of her artwork at  www.madisonsdesigns.com

Getting Down & Dirty for a Good Cause

27 students with special needs  from the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools East Brunswick Campus School of Career Development came to Mane Stream on June 6th for a day of community service. 

Students ranging in age from 14-19 worked on various projects around the barn, helping spruce up the facility for the start of Summer Camp! This is the second time MCVTS students have come to Mane Stream, and the trip out to the farm is one of the highlights of their year!  From removing cobwebs in stalls, sweeping, and organizing the hayloft, the students made sure to get down and dirty for a good cause. 

However, the highlight of the trip was when Justyn the human met Justin the Pony. It was love at first sight! 

Melanie Dominko-Richards, one of our Speech-Language Pathologists, works with the students during the week and said, "I enjoy bringing my students out to Mane Stream because it is not something that they get to experience in their daily lives. In living in western NJ, we tend to take for granted the excitement of being around and working with horses, so for my students, it's definitely something new and cool!" One of the students, Khoji, had this to say about the experience: "The trip was nice! My favorite job was cleaning up the hay and sweeping because I like to keep things clean. I would love to come back next year and help out some more!"