Starbucks Foundation Awards Grant

Thank you from Week 7 Adult Campers!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!

We want to give a huge thank you to The Starbucks Foundation for the generous $1,000 Neighborhood Grant! This grant was made possible through the dedication of our incredible volunteer and Starbucks partner (employee), Michael (Wolfy) N.

This funding will help us continue to provide amazing experiences for our riders, like the five adult adaptive riders who attended our recent summer camp! Thank you for supporting our mission and making a difference in our community!

Dover Rider Rewards Program

We're thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Dover Saddlery that's designed to benefit our participants and Mane Stream! In addition to a 10% discount for NEW Riders, Dover Saddlery’s Rider Rewards program is making it even easier for our participants to get the gear they need (or want 😉).

Here's how it works:

  • Participants: Sign up to receive a $25 digital coupon each quarter, redeemable in-store at Dover Saddlery! It's a fantastic way to save on those must-have items (helmets, half-chaps, boots, and more).

  • Perks for Mane Stream: For every $25 coupon redeemed by our participants, we will receive a $10 reward for our future Dover Saddlery purchases!

Signup for Dover Rider Rewards Program

It's a win-win, ensuring our participants have a positive and successful shopping experience while supporting their passion as a rider or achieving their therapy goals.

Ready to get started?
Sign up directly via THIS LINK or by scanning the QR code.

We're so excited about this new program and look forward to partnering with you and Dover Saddlery!

Splash Into Success

Mane Stream's Horse Bathing Tips!

Want to master the art of a perfect horse bath and keep our equine partners happy? Our Volunteer Coordinator has just released essential Horse Bathing Tips, guiding you through the "Mane Stream way." These easy-to-follow guidelines ensure consistent, positive experiences for all our horses, helping them stay calm, comfortable, and well-behaved. Dive in and make bath time a splash for everyone!

Horse Bathing Tips

OT and Speech Openings Coming Soon!

Share the News!

We're thrilled to announce that we'll soon have a couple of new client slots open for our exceptional occupational therapy & speech-language pathology program, right here at our farm in Oldwick, New Jersey!

Our unique approach integrates hippotherapy (the horse's movement) and the natural terrain of the farm to help clients achieve a wide range of goals. For OT, this includes developing motor skills, improving sensory processing, enhancing emotional regulation, and building social skills. For SLP, we focus on improving articulation, developing language comprehension and expression, enhancing social communication, and strengthening executive functioning skills.

These slots are a fantastic opportunity to access our dedicated and compassionate team, all while experiencing the profound benefits of working with licensed therapists and horses in a natural environment.

Learn more about Therapy Services at Mane Stream.

Step Up for Safety Campaign Soars Past Goal!

Thank to YOU we’re Enhancing Rider Security

Miss Kelly celebrates our nation and the arrival of our NEW Flex-on Safety Stirrups!!

Mane Stream is delighted to announce the resounding success of its "Step Up for Safety" campaign, which has not only met but significantly exceeded its fundraising goal. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, the campaign raised an incredible $3,500, surpassing its $3,150 target.

The "Step Up for Safety" initiative was launched to address a critical safety update in equestrian standards. Several major organizations, including the USA Pony Club and USEF, have or will soon officially ban Peacock stirrups due to evolving safety concerns. While once a common choice for therapeutic and adaptive riding, these stirrups are now considered outdated and potentially dangerous due to issues like degrading elastic bands and inconsistent release during a fall.

Mane Stream, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of its riders, quickly initiated this campaign to replace our youth Peacock stirrups with safer, approved alternatives, such as the Flex-On Safe-On Stirrups. To ensure the best fit and function for future orders, we strategically purchased an initial set including 6 youth pairs, 5 adult pairs, 1 youth pair with a cage, and 1 adult pair with a cage to evaluate their performance before a larger investment. The community's immediate and enthusiastic response has been truly heartwarming.

"We are absolutely thrilled and deeply grateful for the incredible support shown for our 'Step Up for Safety' campaign," said Jen Dermody, Director of Programs. "Your generosity has allowed us to not only meet our initial goal but exceed it, ensuring we can continue to provide the safest possible environment for all our riders.” You truly helped us REIN in the RISK!

Thank You Step Up for Safety Donors!

Barbara Burke, Teresa Callahan, Patricia Colbert, Kathryn Coyne, Alison Crowley, Victoria Dinsell, Laura Edelson, Julia Greifeld, Nancy Grossweiler, Jane Hylicke, Karen Kaufhold,
Patrice Keiling, Hildy Knight, Donna Lawse, Michelle Lawse, Elaine Milano,
Pine Woods Farm, Chip Quayle, and Kevin Ruta.

The success of this campaign is a testament to the community's dedication to Mane Stream's mission. We look forward to replacing other vital equipment, specifically cage and "S" bend stirrups, as funds permit. Every donation, regardless of size, makes a tangible difference in enhancing the safety and quality of life for our participants.

DIDN’T GET THE CHANCE TO DONATE?
Help fund our future order and keep even more riders safe, supported, and confidently progressing in their lessons. DONATE NOW

Volunteer Major Milestones

Join us in giving a massive round of applause to the incredible volunteers who have reached significant hour and anniversary milestones! Your dedication and tireless efforts are the backbone of everything we achieve. Each moment you dedicate and every bit of energy you pour into our mission directly impact our success.

2,500+ Lifetime Hrs. Nancy Grossweiler

100+ Lifetime Hrs. Hannah B.

3rd Anniversary Tess Coffey

1st Anniversary Bridget Cornog, Sophie Kaltenbach, Rhea Kansal, Sydney Quinn, Brandon Robinson, Will Skowyra

Thank you for being such an indispensable part of our community. Your contributions are truly invaluable!

Equine-Assisted DBT Skills for Groups

Fall Sessions Start September 12th

Do you know someone looking for evidence-based treatment in a non-traditional setting?

Lizzy Ellman, PsyD, and Liz Johnson, LCSW, are excited to announce they are enrolling for another cycle of equine-assisted DBT Skills groups for both adolescents and adults, in addition to an equine-assisted Seeking Safety group for PTSD and/or Substance Abuse for adults. These groups are fantastic options if you, your child,  a client, or a student is looking for evidence-based treatment in a non-traditional setting that includes experiential activities and equine interactions.

What to Expect?

In Equine-Assisted DBT groups, participants will learn mindfulness skills, build emotion regulation skills, improve interpersonal effectiveness skills, and strengthen distress tolerance skills.

Why Include Equine Interactions?

Horses are sensitive to human emotions and body language, making them an ideal partner in the therapeutic process, while also allowing group participants to engage in hands-on, experiential learning and skill-building. Utilizing equine interactions increases patient motivation and engagement, facilitates rapport building, allows for reciprocal relational exchanges with the horse, and provides unique ways to practice therapy techniques and build skills.

Group Details: Starting September 12, 2025
Times: Seeking Safety Group - 1p-2:30pm, Adult DBT- 3p-4:15pm, Teen DBT 4:30-5:45pm
Mane Stream in Oldwick, NJ (83 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, NJ)
Adult Group (18 and up) and Adolescent Group (ages 14-18)
Limited Spaces Available: Early registration is encouraged!
Fees and Insurance: $205 per session (CPT code 90853). We are out-of-network, though we will submit electronically for participants who have out-of-network benefits, and insurance will reimburse you directly. 

Why Choose Liz & Lizzy?

Expert Facilitators: Liz Johnson and Lizzy Ellman are seasoned DBT professionals, as well as equestrians, with years of experience helping clients develop the skills they need to live more balanced, fulfilling lives.

Reach out with questions!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or for more information at 551-264-1014 or liz@thebtcollective.com! Potential group participants are also welcome to contact us directly to begin enrollment, and feel free to share our Equine-Assisted DBT Skills Groups flyer. We also provide comprehensive DBT services, and if enrollees are interested in a full program (individual therapy, group skills training, skills coaching), they are welcome to inquire about that with us as well.

Introducing NEW Camp Riding Instructors

We are thrilled to introduce our two newest Camp Riding Instructors, Abby Ehms and Lola Bordoni Liotta! Both are Centenary University trained and PATH International Certified Instructors (CTRI), bringing expertise and passion to our program. Abby and Lola are joining our Summer Camp Team to ensure we have three or more certified instructors on-site every day, all summer long. Their dedication and experience will help make this year’s summer camp an unforgettable experience for all our riders! We couldn’t be more excited to have them on board.

LOLA BORDONI LIOTTA

Lola is a PATH International Certified Instructor (CTRI) who is joining our team this summer! Lola is a recent graduate of Centenary University, where she earned a degree in Equine Studies with a concentration in Equine-Assisted Services. During her time at Centenary, she was deeply involved with the TRAC program, gaining valuable hands-on experience. Originally from New York City, Lola has ridden recreationally throughout her life, but her passion for more competitive riding took off in college, where she competed on the IHSA and Hunter Jumper teams. On top of that, Lola is bilingual in Italian and often visits her family in Italy. She loves to travel and explore new places—especially if there are horses involved! We’re so excited to have her as part of our team!

ABBY EHMS

Abby fell in love with horseback riding at age 11 and knew right away it was her calling! She pursued her passion through three different colleges—Cobleskill, Cazenovia, and ultimately Centenary University—where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Equine Business Management with a concentration in Therapeutic Horsemanship. It was at Centenary, as part of their Therapeutic Riding Program (TRAC), that Abby not only began her journey of teaching individuals with special needs but also earned her PATH International Certified Instructor (CTRI) credential.

Abby's ultimate goal is to open and run her own farm, much like Mane Stream! She's known for her incredibly happy, bubbly personality and is often referred to as a "ball of energy." Always eager to lend a helping hand, Abby enjoys all aspects of working with horses, from barn chores like cleaning stalls and turning out to riding and grooming. While she's been busy with barn work at Mane Stream recently, she's absolutely thrilled to start teaching for summer camp!

Welcome our Summer Camp Interns

OLIVIA, NIKHITA, SADIE

We are excited to welcome Olivia (Liv), Nikhita, and Sadie as our Summer Camp Interns for 2025! Over the next 10 weeks, these three impressive young women will be right in the heart of the action, helping to create a fun, enriching, and empowering experience for every camper who joins us at the barn.

Each intern brings a unique blend of experience, energy, and passion to the program, whether it’s a deep love of horses, a background in special needs support, or a goal to bring equine-assisted programs into their future careers. Want to know who plays three musical instruments, who’s majoring in neuroscience, and who’s been a camp counselor since high school?

Olivia Martin is a senior at Liberty University, majoring in Family and Child Development.

Olivia “Liv” Martin

Known as Liv, this Liberty University senior is pursuing her degree in Family and Child Development with a clear passion for helping others. Liv brings with her a well-rounded background in horsemanship, having been riding since the age of fifteen, as well as solid experience in groundwork and barn chores.

Her heart for individuals with special needs is evident through her hands-on roles as a “Buddy Program Aid” and “Night to Shine Buddy” at Liquid Church in Mountainside. Coupled with several summers as a camp counselor, Liv is no stranger to the energy, flexibility, and compassion that a great camp experience requires.

After graduation, Liv plans to combine her love of horses and her dedication to service by working in the field of equine-assisted programming. She’s excited to join Mane Stream this summer, knowing this internship will not only deepen her practical experience but also help shape her future in a field she’s deeply passionate about.

 

Nikhita Iyer is a rising junior at Rutgers University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies.

NIKHITA IYER

Nikhita is a rising junior at Rutgers University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology, and disability advocacy, with a particular focus on supporting and understanding neurodivergent populations. She is committed to contributing to research that advances inclusive and accessible mental health care and education.

Following her undergraduate studies, Nikhita plans to pursue a master’s degree and Ph.D. in neuroscience. Her long-term goal is to become a research scientist and university professor, where she can combine her passion for discovery with her dedication to teaching and mentorship.

Nikhita is an animal lover and loves reading about different species. She also likes sketching, painting, and crafting. Additionally, she likes to play instruments in her free time. She can play the Piano, Clarinet, and Guitar. She is very excited to be an intern this summer and can’t wait to work with everyone!

 

Sadie Holgreen is studying psychology at Brookdale Community College.

SADIE Holgreen

Sadie is a 20-year-old psychology student at Brookdale Community College. Born and raised in Cedar Hills, Utah, she grew up caring for animals, especially horses, and proudly identifies as a self-proclaimed “horse girl.”

Living near Utah’s renowned American Fork Canyon, Sadie developed a deep love for the outdoors. She enjoys hiking, camping, and hunting, but her favorite activity is trail riding in the mountains. She often says there’s nothing like riding through American Fork Canyon.

Sadie also comes from a large family, which helped shape her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Her upbringing fostered a strong sense of empathy and a passion for helping others. Known for her upbeat attitude, she strives to uplift those around her.

While researching internship opportunities, Sadie discovered Mane Stream and immediately knew it was the right fit. Her long-term goal is to open her own assisted riding program, and she sees her internship here as a meaningful step toward that dream.