Equestrian Art Fundraiser in Bernardsville

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of art, elegance, and giving back!

On Thursday, February 26th, August Boutique in Bernardsville is hosting a special reception for award-winning artist Christine Seo. Known for her ability to capture the "purity of heart and essence of horses," Christine’s work brings a dynamic, soul-stirring energy to any space.

Enjoy light refreshments as you browse Christine's latest collection and explore the beautiful curated finds at August Boutique.

The Best Part: A portion of all art sales will benefit Mane Stream, supporting their incredible work in the equine-assisted therapy community.

August Boutique | 17 Olcott Square, Bernardsville Thursday, Feb 26 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

National Girls & Women in Sports Day

Celebrating You!

Today, we join the nation in celebrating the strength, confidence, and character of girls and women in sports. At Mane Stream, we see that power in action every day. To celebrate, we’re highlighting four incredible riders (out of the 22 current female riders) who represent the broad spectrum of our community.

 

Wendy: Resilience & Heart Connection

Wendy joined us through the Horses for Healing program, our free program for those living with cancer or Parkinson’s Disease. She loved it so much that she’s stayed on and continues to ride in our Horses for Healing 2.0 program. For Wendy, the "sport" of riding is deeply spiritual and restorative. “The best part is connecting with the horse in a way that is difficult to describe. For me, it’s a heart-to-heart connection with an energetically powerful and majestic creature.”

Riding has become a vital tool in Wendy’s health journey, teaching her that “having a joy in my life like the horseback lessons, is critical to maintaining my resilience as my Parkinson’s Disease progresses.” Her advice to any woman starting out is a beautiful reminder for us all: “Show up with a desire to be present, do your best without pressure, and immerse yourself in the joy.” And while Instructor, Kelly Champion, has taught Wendy a lot, Kelly has learned copious amounts about Parkinson’s Disease, making her an even better instructor for our future riders.

 

Emily: The Future in Motion

Emily has been a part of the Mane Stream family for several years now, and her instructors have watched her confidence soar alongside our ever-changing herd. For Emily, the connection starts on the ground: “The best part about Mane Stream is getting to know the horses.”

When asked what riding has taught her, Emily’s growth shines through. “Riding makes me feel more confident and independent,” she says. Her advice to other girls looking to start? “Horseback riding at Mane Stream is fun. You will love it.” We couldn’t agree more; that ever-present smile on her face says it all!

 

Daisy: From High-Point Rider to Volunteer

Daisy is a powerhouse in the ring. As our 2024 High Point Rider, she takes her sport seriously, and we love that she LOVES to compete in our horse shows! But being an athlete is also about sportsmanship and awareness, and Daisy is always working on her craft: “I am trying my best to watch out for other riders in the ring.”

While working on her advanced skills like jumping, Daisy is now a role model for our younger riders and now also a dedicated volunteer. Her encouragement to others is simple yet bold: “I would say if you can ride like me, then you could ride at Mane Stream.” Thank you for your service and leadership, Daisy!

 

Reagan: Strength & Perspective

Reagan finds her peace and purpose directly in the stable. For her, the magic of the sport is found in the simple, quiet moments of companionship, noting that the best part of her day is simply "spending time with the horses."

But don't let that quiet connection fool you, riding has instilled in Reagan a fierce sense of persistence. When reflecting on what the sport has taught her about her own inner strength, her philosophy is clear: "Never give up and try your best." Reagan’s advice for other girls is perhaps the most poignant reminder of why we do what we do at Mane Stream. She views the bond with horses as a lesson in priorities: "Horses teach you that life is short, so you should do it your way and spend time doing your favorite things." We are so glad Reagan chooses to spend her time with us!

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So, as a final thought, whether they are building independence, leading by example, finding resilience, or learning to live life on their own terms, these women prove that an "athlete" is defined by heart and perseverance. Join us in celebrating Emily, Daisy, Wendy, and Reagan!

Discover Our 3 Internship Tracks for 2026

We’re excited to offer three different types of unpaid internships in 2026! Motivated, enthusiastic college students can earn college credit for time well spent on the farm. While working with a wide variety of participants and experienced staff, Mane Stream provides a chance for you to explore career possibilities and interests. Our program is flexible if you have interests outside of the programs detailed below. Scroll down to see our different internship opportunities and apply today!

If you’re interested in being an intern but don’t fit every requirement (i.e., not a college student, interested in a different program than above, etc.), please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator.

ACADEMIC Year INTERNSHIP

Time Frame/Commitment: 75 to 150 hours over 10-11 weeks (Spring & Fall semesters); Flexible day-to-day schedule

Interns will spend their 10-11 week internship rotating through different areas of Mane Stream by shadowing different members of staff and taking on specific tasks & assignments. Rotations can be tailored to student interests, but will include: Volunteer Management, Social Media & Communications, Administration & Fundraising, Programs, Barn & Equine Management. At the end of the internship, the intern will have a broad knowledge of how a nonprofit therapeutic riding center operates. Interns will have the ability to work on a long-term project if desired, either for personal interest or to fulfill an academic requirement.
APPLY TODAY

SUMMER CAMP INTERNSHIP

Time Frame/Commitment:
Flexible early June through August, Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 1:00pm
At least 3 days per week for at least 6 weeks (about 15 to 25 hours per week)

Interns work directly with our inclusive, half-day summer camp, with the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of typical children, children with special needs, & adults with special needs. Interns will be expected to help plan and run inclusive camp activities, assist in managing the campers, & any administrative needs. Interns will also have the opportunity to tailor additional activities to their interests (i.e. barn work, photography, social media, writing articles) and/or speak to other members of staff about their careers. APPLY TODAY

Photography/Social Media INTERNSHIP

Time Frame/Commitment: June through August. Flexible depending on intern's interests/schedule

Interns will work with the Marketing Manager to plan, design, & publish social media & marketing materials and/or take photos, upload, & edit independently. This is a highly flexible internship, allowing interns to craft their activities according to their interests. Interns will also have the opportunity to take on additional activities related to their interests and/or speak to other members of staff about their careers. APPLY TODAY

Volunteer Milestones for February 2026

Celebrating 20 Years of Love: Congratulations, Debi DeLorenzo!

Debi first joined our family two decades ago, and since then, she has become an integral part of the heart and soul of our barn. Whether she is sidewalking to keep our therapy kids safe or assisting our adaptive riders in the ring, Debi’s presence brings a sense of warmth and stability to every lesson and therapy session.

As a long-time volunteer, Debi has often said that there is no other word to describe this place than LOVE. She once shared, "The riders, staff, volunteers, and of course the horses make it an incredibly amazing place, and the smiles show that we are having a wonderful impact!" Over the last 20 years, Debi has certainly created her fair share of those smiles. Each year, she helps at the Horse Show, she’s an active Spring Event committee member, and years ago, she even learned some sign language to better communicate with Cliffie and other riders. By training new volunteers in these vital communication skills, Debi has ensured that Cliffie and every rider feels heard and supported in the ring. Her twenty years of commitment have truly helped shape the vibrant, inclusive community we cherish today.

Please join us in thanking Debi for 20 years of "Unbridled Possibilities" and for her unwavering devotion to the Mane Stream mission!

The Best Mingle of the Season

Cozy Holiday Cheer at Mane Stream

The spirit of the holidays and the incredible warmth of the Mane Stream community shone brighter than any Christmas lights at our annual Jingle and Mingle Open House on Monday, December 15th.

It was the perfect balance of "brrrr" and bliss! Since Mother Nature brought the chill, we turned the indoors into a cozy refuge filled with festive tunes, savory snacks, and plenty of sweet treats. Our guests were total pros at the Barn Dash, popping out to the stable to snap selfies with our equine stars, then dashing back inside to defrost with refreshments before heading back out for one last goodnight nuzzle.

Spreading out a little more this year allowed for some truly heart-centered connections. We were absolutely thrilled to welcome back so many familiar faces, including beloved campers and Paddock Pals participants who stopped by for their winter horse fix" Catching up after several months was wonderful, and their energy served as a great reminder that Summer Camp registration is just around the corner! Be sure to mark your calendars for Monday, February 2nd at 9:00 AM to snag a spot for an unforgettable season.

The event was a true "who’s who" of the Mane Stream family. We were touched to see local community members, Board member’s families, and even a therapy client who returned to the barn after years away. Of course, the barn was filled with our amazing volunteers and participants who keep our hearts full all year long.

Under our Christmas tree, we found an incredible outpouring of love in the form of gifts from the Herd’s Wishlist. To everyone who contributed: thank you for spoiling our hard-working horses and ponies! This event perfectly captures the heartbeat of Mane Stream, bringing people together to connect with our horses and celebrate the meaningful work we do.

Thank you to everyone who Jingled and Mingled with us! We appreciate your unwavering commitment to the herd, and we already can’t wait to see you at our next big milestone: The Horse Show at the USET on June 13th.. Until then, stay warm!

January Volunteer Milestones

Let's hear it for our incredible volunteers! Whether it's a new milestone or a special anniversary, your passion and countless hours of service are what make our mission possible. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our organization.

Congratulations to Nancy Karwoski on her 5th anniversary and 450+ lifetime hours! A mainstay in our adaptive riding lessons, Nancy typically joins us twice a week, bringing a lovely, calm presence to every session. Known for her fantastic attitude and willingness to pitch in whenever needed, Nancy is a true team player. Thank you, Nancy, for your unwavering dedication to our riders and our mission!

1st Anniversary
Lynx M. and Jordan McLellan


Donate Your Car Today!

We’re here to help you start the year feeling accomplished.

Start the New Year off right by supporting the nonprofit you love. Mane Stream will gladly accept that vehicle you’ve been looking to get rid of. Our Vehicle Donation Program provides an effortless option for giving to the cause you care about.

Give us a call at 1-855-500-7433 or fill out the secure online form at https://careasy.org/nonprofit/mane-stream . We truly appreciate supporters like you!

A Stampede of Support

Our Wish List Success!

For a bit of fun, we invite you to read the following highlights aloud to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas":

“On the Herd’s Holiday Wish List, my community gave to me...”

8 Months of Peppermints
7 Clipper Blades for Ponies
6 Sturdy Halters
5 Black Lead Ropes!
4 Months of Laundry Soap
3 New Helmets
Several Months of Cosequin
and a TV for the volunteers! (for volunteer assignments & tacking lists only)

Please note, we actually received so many gifts that the full version of this song would have 100 verses! Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support, we are starting 2026 fully stocked and so grateful."

The holiday spirit arrived early at the barn this year, and we are absolutely blown away by your generosity. Thanks to your incredible support, our "Herd Wish List" was a resounding success!

Because of you, we are pretty much fully stocked for quite a while! The list of donations continued to grow over the holiday break and is far too extensive to list in its entirety, but we wanted to share a few highlights of the "holiday cheer" currently filling our barn.

Whether it was a vital piece of safety equipment or a bag of treats, every gift directly impacts care the herd and the quality of our programs. We are so lucky to have a community that looks out for us. From the bottom of our hearts, and from every horse in the paddock, thank you!!

Please join us in recognizing the wonderful individuals who made this possible: The Chimento Family, The Ciccione Family, The Coffey Family, The Coloff-Verge Family, Laura Edelson, Dawn Eisele, Mary Beth Greene, Leroy Hunninghake, Jill Jackson, The Lipson Family, Ruth McCormick, Pine Woods Farm, Sara Reilly, The Santos Family, Jimmy Sardelli of The In Gate, Rene Slater, Dylan Smith, and several Secret Santas!!

We want to ensure all our donors are recognized. If you sent an item from the wishlist and don't see your name listed, please contact us at info@manestreamnj.org so we can update our records.

A Full Color Future!

Thank You #GivingTuesday Donors!

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for your support this #GivingTuesday. Because of you, we raised $6,231, thus surpassing our GOAL! This is a wonderful start to the monthly costs for essential care for Sunny, Minnie, Eli, and the entire herd, ensuring we can continue to provide life-changing services like Mobility, Confidence, and Communication to our clients. The choice was black & white, and you chose color!

Thank you for keeping the future bright. ✨ Carolyn Baranowski, Christine Brenner, Barbara Burke, Teresa Callahan, Kaitlin Casey, Joanne Cathcart, Patricia Colbert, Kent Gibson, Keena Hausmann, Jane Hylicke, IT Radix, LLCKaren & Steve Kaufhold, Nicole Lavell, Pine Woods Farm, Victoria Ponte, Russo Schwarz Family, Kerry Scholz, Tara Schweighardt, Tanya Smith, Andrea Stepnosky, Patricia Sumida, Alexandra Taylor, Hannah Van Campen, Maryann Zeira