After the 2024 Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the PNHS Foundation awarded grants to 41 therapeutic riding centers, equine rescues, and equine-assisted service programs. As we look ahead to the 2025 show, we’re excited to highlight the incredible work of these recipient organizations!

How do you serve your community?

At Mane Stream, we provide a wide variety of equine-assisted programs that promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being for individuals with special needs. Through adaptive riding, therapy services (OT, SLP, and mental health), an inclusive summer camp, a program for people impacted by cancer and Parkinson’s Disease, and field trips catering to both youth and senior citizens, we offer the therapeutic power of horses to over 600 people each year. 

Our dedicated team of licensed professionals, certified instructors, volunteers, and specially trained horses, work together to meet each participant’s unique goals, creating a supportive environment where growth and joy happen in every session. Beyond the individuals we serve directly, we also develop connections with families, volunteers, and local partners, making Mane Stream a true community hub of compassion, progress, and possibility.

What are some of the biggest challenges your organization currently faces?

We are physically limited. Our 12-acre farm is a serene, beautiful place, but we are operating at over 110 percent capacity during peak hours. With multiple programs running simultaneously (adaptive riding, therapy sessions, mental health counseling, field trips, volunteer training) and horse care, it has become a weekly challenge to creatively juggle space and time. The opportunity to grow new or existing programs is now limited to very specific times or days. Every minute of arena time, every horse, and every staff member is carefully scheduled to make the most of what we have.

At the same time, recruiting and retaining highly qualified staff, especially therapists who are experienced in equine-assisted services, adds another layer of complexity. We are constantly balancing the need for professional expertise, horse welfare, program growth, and affordability for families.

Additionally, we are currently navigating ongoing economic uncertainty. Like many nonprofit organizations, we rely heavily on philanthropy from individuals and foundations/corporations to keep our programs running. We are hopeful that donors will continue to recognize the importance of our work, but we remain concerned that broader economic shifts could lead to reduced giving. Additionally, the looming potential for government reductions to the populations we serve could directly affect our participants’ ability to access the programs they need, putting families in a difficult position and threatening the continuity of care.

Despite these challenges, we remain focused and committed to our mission. The need for services like ours is growing, and we are determined to meet it with creativity, compassion, and the support of our incredible community.

How has this grant impacted your program’s ability to serve your community?

Our annual grant from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation is a crucial part of our funding. Having support that we can count on for our general operations is vital to planning and implementing our programs. Every dollar we receive goes directly to helping to provide programs to our community. Additionally, having the Foundation as a funder helps to inspire others to invest in Mane Stream as well. 

Can you share a success story of a horse or participant who benefited from your program?

George has been part of the Mane Stream family for 12 years. From his early rides, when he lacked core strength, to now riding
independently, his progress has been inspiring for all who know him. George experienced multiple traumas in infancy that left
lasting challenges, but his story took a hopeful turn when his physical therapist at the Matheny School became his foster, then
adoptive, mother. Together, they discovered Mane Stream, and it quickly became a place of growth, strength, and joy.

Over the years, George has attended summer camp, competed in our Annual Horse Show, and embraced every opportunity to
connect with the horses and staff. His love for the program shines through in his artwork, messages, and even a video he shared
during the pandemic.

Now a confident and independent rider, George continues to be one of our most enthusiastic participants. Mane Stream is proud to
have played a role in his journey, and we are grateful for the joy he brings to the barn. 

What future goals do you have for your program and how can additional support help?

At Mane Stream, our goals for the future focus on both strengthening and expanding our impact. We are committed to continuing our high-quality adaptive riding and therapy services, ensuring that every child and adult who benefits from equine-assisted programming has consistent access to the care they need. In addition, we aim to grow our Therapy Field Trip offerings by building partnerships with more schools that specialize in serving students with special needs, bringing even more young learners to the farm for enriching, hands-on experiences with our herd.

Another priority is the continued growth of our mental health counseling program, which incorporates evidence-based treatment with the unique healing presence of horses. As the demand for mental health support increases, we hope to reach more individuals by expanding both staff and session availability.

With additional support, we can welcome more participants, provide enhanced training for our volunteers and horses, and ensure that every Mane Stream experience continues to be safe, effective, and joyful. Together, we can make even more lives stronger, one ride, one session, one breakthrough at a time.

Is there anything else you’d like donors/grant supporters to know about the impact of their support?

Donors and grant supporters are the quiet heroes behind every moment of progress at Mane Stream. While it’s easy to see the joy on a rider’s face or the calm presence of a therapy horse, what often goes unseen is the daily care and continuous maintenance that makes those moments possible.

Running a 12-acre farm is a constant endeavor, weather, time, and use take their toll on everything from fencing to footing. But even small improvements, like redesigning a mounting area to be safer and more accessible, or upgrading arena footing to ease the strain on our older horses, have a profound impact. Preventative care for our herd, including massage, MagnaWave, and quality farrier services, not only improves their comfort and movement, but extends their ability to serve in sessions for years longer.

Your support isn’t just about keeping the lights on. It’s about lengthening the careers of horses who are truly exceptional therapy partners. It’s about keeping our barn doors open to more children and adults with special needs. It’s about ensuring that every session, whether it’s therapy, adaptive riding, or mental health counseling, is delivered with the highest level of care, safety, and compassion.

Every dollar goes further than you might think, and every gift helps us provide life-changing services to the people who need them most. We’re so grateful to have you by our side.