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!

Located in Crownsville, Maryland, Maryland Therapeutic Riding is a 501c3 non-profit that offers equine assisted services to humans of all ages and abilities, including veterans. Since 1996, they have been working towards their mission to “transform lives by connecting humans and horses in a nurturing environment, fostering healing and growth for all.”

How does Maryland Therapeutic Riding serve their community?

“MTR is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and one of only nine USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage Centers of Excellence in the United States. Based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland,  MTR offers equine-assisted services including Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship, Physical & Speech Therapies, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and special programming. Special programs include Day on the Farm experiences, summer programs, and more. 

In 2024, we served more than 500 participants throughout all program offerings ranging in age from 2-101, with more than 50 different diagnoses.”

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

“Beyond the increased expenses associated with running a large farm, one of the most pressing challenges we face at MTR is meeting the growing demand for our services while operating within the limits of our current space and staffing capacity. We are committed to maintaining a highly credentialed team, including PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs), EAGALA-certified Equine Specialists, licensed Mental Health Professionals, and licensed Speech and Physical Therapists. To support our growth, we actively invest in developing future professionals through our “In-Training” program, which helps individuals pursue certification in their chosen areas.

“Our farm is a beautiful, serene place that we treasure, but we face limitations in functional space. Our private sessions require exclusive use of our single covered training area, limiting the ability to run concurrent programs. Unmounted learning sessions and summer activities often take place outdoors or in the barn aisle. When weather conditions are poor, groups must use our small office space, shared with staff, which makes focused engagement a challenge. 

“To meet these needs and continue delivering high-quality, accessible services, we are actively working on plans for a dedicated Community Learning Center and a covered round pen. These new spaces will allow us to provide safe, appropriate, and flexible areas for learning, services, and community connection, and will ensure that long term opportunities for healing and growth will not be limited by space constraints.”

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

“Funding from this grant has assisted in keeping our program costs down. Approximately 75 to 100 percent of our program’s actual costs are supplemented by philanthropy, making our programs financially viable for our participants. We also have program scholarships, including our Equine Service for Heroes program that allows us to extend our services to military, veterans, first responders and their families at no charge.”

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

“No one can say it better than one of our participants themselves. Here is a testimonial taken from a social media post written by a woman who participated in one of our Wounded Warrior Days on the Farm with Splash (PNHS 2024 Therapy Horse of the Year).

“There’s something profoundly healing about the bond between a human and a horse. This photo captures a quiet, beautiful moment of connection, no words needed, just trust, presence, and peace. Standing with this gentle soul, I’m reminded how animals have a way of grounding us, of reminding us to breathe, slow down, and simply be.

Thank you, sweet friend, for this moment.”

-Adrianna R. 

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

“One of our greatest challenges in meeting the growing needs of our community is space. We continue to expand our unmounted service offerings, so having a space to best accommodate participants for these services is key. We are currently working on final details for the master plan for our property, which will include a Community Learning Center with classroom/meeting spaces, and a comfortable gathering area for families to relax and connect while their loved ones are in their services. This space will allow us to comfortably accommodate our special services and grow our learning and mentoring programs, as well as offer the opportunity to connect with community organizations for greater partnership options.”

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

“The impact of donor and grant support goes far beyond program funding, it creates life-changing opportunities for individuals facing physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Your support helps us provide a safe and welcoming space where participants build confidence, gain independence, and experience healing through the powerful connection with horses. Every gift helps us maintain a high standard of care, for both our participants and our herd, and ensures that services remain accessible to those who need them most, regardless of financial means.

For more information about MTR and our services, please visit our website: www.HorsesThatHeal.org.”