For the Rider in us All!

Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies is a place where individuals and the community are able to enhance their quality of life through positive animal interactions and therapeutic horticulture.  BMFNT utilizes equines to help people on a seasonal basis.  In 2016, BMFNT started with one rider.  As they close out their 2018 season, they were able to help an average of 21 riders a week, host 215 youth through the community programming, and open a program free for veteran's.  

BMFNT does all activities in an outdoor arena space that is 64'x64'.  As you can imagine, this means that the riders are dependent on weather.  This year was especially hard due to the amount of rain the area saw. 
Lessons were cancelled numerous dates and BMFNT made the 
difficult decision to close a week early due to the temps, wind, and rain.  Due to the cancellations, this did not provide a consistent schedule for the riders.  All those attending lessons on weekly basis see the most benefits when riding weekly.  

Riders that attend our programming are living their best life with diagnoses such as Autism, Anxiety, PTSD, RAD, Cerebral Palsy, and so much more! Watching these individuals excel at riding our horses is a gift that many of us here at BMFNT love to watch on a weekly basis.  In order to create more consistent programming and opportunities to our riders, BMFNT is looking to build a Multipurpose Building.  

This Building would allow for our riders to access everything in one area.  Currently our Tack and equipment is in a building off of the barn, horses are in the barn, and arena is outdoors.  This building would allow for the equipment, horses, and an indoor riding space.  Providing our riders with an indoor and outdoor riding space allows for riding in the rain and wind, while also creating visual experiences when outdoors.  This building will also allow for extending the season and programming.  Not only will this building provide consistency for our riders, but it will give our horses a more consistent place to exercise and be able to exercise in the winter months.  With only an outdoor space our horses are unable to exercise or be ridden in the winter months due to ice, snow, and wind.  This building will provide a great opportunity for the care of the horses, our riders, and so much more.