June 2025 Newsletter - Partners in Possibilities

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From Idea to Implementation - The Story of Paddock Pals

At Mane Stream, we know that horses bring joy to individuals of all ages, and our mission extends far beyond the saddle. For decades, we've seen the transformative power of adaptive riding, therapy, and summer camp on individuals young and old. Since our inception in 1972, we've always strived to evolve, adding programs like our partnership with Matheny School in 2007, Horses for Healing in 2015, and single-visit field trips in 2017, all to meet the ever-emerging needs of our community.

This commitment to growth recently led us to explore an exciting new frontier: early childhood development. For over two years, our team has been working behind the scenes on a program specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. We saw an opportunity to utilize our quieter daytime hours, before our bustling adaptive riding lessons and therapy sessions began, to create a space where our youngest community members, ages 2-5, could be introduced to the wonder of horses while fostering crucial age-appropriate skills like sharing, taking turns, and showing kindness to animals. Imagine toddlers and preschoolers, wide-eyed with wonder, learning to groom ponies, creating horse-themed crafts, and even taking their very first "ride."

After much discussion, Executive Director Trish Hegeman discovered a program at another center called Reading Reins, which, while literacy-focused, offered valuable insights into activities and curriculum that would perfectly complement our vision. Following a conversation with their program director, Mane Stream's staff spent several months meticulously finalizing the structure, activities, timing, and resources for what would become Paddock Pals. We were thrilled when Holland Kochanski, a long-time Mane Stream instructor and a mom herself, stepped up to lead the program. We spread the word through social media, our eCurrent newsletter, and direct conversations with our dedicated volunteers and participants, successfully recruiting the 5-6 child/caregiver pairs we needed for our pilot session in October 2024.

Over the five weeks of the pilot, our "Pals" delved into the world of horses. They learned what horses eat, how to groom them, how horses help people, and how to interact respectfully with these magnificent animals. Each week was a new adventure, filled with hands-on interaction with the horses, creative horse-themed crafts, engaging games or story time, and even helping with barn chores. The grand finale was a very short, memorable ride on their favorite pony. The joy wasn't limited to the children; their caregivers had just as much fun experiencing this unique program alongside them as did the 2 volunteers who helped each week! This program is truly nurturing a new generation, teaching kindness, sharing, and the pure joy of being around horses, all before they even start kindergarten.

Based on the enthusiastic feedback from our initial participants, we've already made some fine-tuning adjustments for our second session and are eagerly anticipating our third session later this summer. We couldn't be happier with how Paddock Pals has been received by our participant families. One of our “Pals” will be attending camp this summer and we hope that others will do so also in the years to come, building a lifelong connection with Mane Stream and the transformative power of horses.

How We Keep Mane Stream Running Smoothly!

Ever wonder what it takes to keep a 12-acre farm buzzing with activity and joy? At Mane Stream, it's a constant effort, but it's all worth it to provide top-notch programs in the safest environment possible. We're talking about everything from the daily grind to game-changing transformations!

The Daily Hustle: More Than Just Horses!
While our participants are riding, a different kind of work is always underway. Think broken fences, sagging electric fence lines, endless mowing, and even changing light bulbs! It’s a never-ending to-do list, but these routine tasks are crucial for keeping our entire property safe and functional for everyone—two-legged and four-legged alike!

Tackling the Tough Stuff: Big Changes, Bigger Impact!
But it's not always just routine. Sometimes, bigger challenges demand bigger solutions. Over the past couple of years, we've zeroed in on crucial drainage issues across the farm. We tackled stubborn erosion in our fields and cleared out a massive buildup in the drainage basin by the driveway.

 And the biggest win recently? Thanks to a generous grant from the E.J. Grassmann Trust, we totally revamped the barn aisle ends and the area in front of our storage space! Years of rain had carved out a dangerous 6-inch drop-off, making it a tricky spot for participants, volunteers, and horses. Now, thanks to a gentle slope, our barn is 100% accessible from both ends of the aisles again! Safety first, always!

From Storage to Summer Camp Central: A Game-Changing Transformation!
Fixing the storage area entrance sparked another incredible upgrade just in time for summer camp! For years, our campers huddled under pop-up tents, which are great for sun protection, but useless in the rain and a hassle to take down daily.

Now, with the ground leveled, we've transformed part of that storage space into our official, fantastic camp area! Imagine: fans whirring, tables and chairs set up, and all camp supplies just a reach away. Our campers now have a large, comfortable haven to relax in when they’re not in the barn or enjoying their riding lessons. It’s a huge step up and makes their experience even better!

 A Space for Every Season
While some of the space still handles essential storage—equipment, tack sale donations, event supplies, and tools—the other half is now a dynamic multi-purpose hub! It's our summer camp headquarters, but throughout the rest of the year, it will host field trips and other programs that need room to grow and spread out.

Your Support Makes It All Possible!
We pour our hearts into maintaining this property, ensuring we can always offer high-quality programs in the safest environment. This vital work is made possible by incredible donors like our Partners in Possibilities! Your support helps us conquer everything from those daily fixes to the major overhauls.

Curious to see these awesome upgrades firsthand? The next time you're on the property, I'd be thrilled to give you a personal tour! trish@manestreamnj.org