MANES & MOTIONS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Therapeutic lessons
At Manes & Motions we use horses and equine assisted activities to enhance our participants' quality of life. This is accomplished with the guidance of a PATH Intl. certified riding instructor through the development of a relationship between horse and rider. Riding lesson plans are individualized and designed to engage participants in a positive, supportive learning environment.
During each lesson, participants enjoy a variety of equine assisted activities. These activities are designed to motivate the rider and provide opportunities for meeting physical, cognitive, behavioral and psychological goals. Each participant's abilities are assessed and instructors develop goals specific to individual needs. Classes are taught in an individual or group lesson. Private lessons are taught in a one-to-one setting and are 30 minutes in length. Group lessons consist of up to four riders and are 45 minutes in length.
Each lesson may include: warm-up, exercise, skill development, activities and games.
Riders will spend the majority of their lesson on a horse but unmounted stable activities are also incorporated into the lesson when appropriate. These activities provide participants with a chance to enhance their horsemanship skills and include: equine-related educational activities, ground work with horses, grooming and horse care and tack.
Our diverse rider population comes from a variety of backgrounds and ranges in age from four years to adulthood. Manes & Motions offers services to a wide scope of participants with special needs including but not limited to: anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder, autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, hearing impairment, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, stoke, traumatic brain injury and visual impairment.
Horses for Heroes
Manes & Motions provides specialized services to America's wounded service personnel and veterans returning from war. We offer these services to veterans challenged by PTSD, TBI and other physical, emotional and psychological challenges that make it difficult to readjust to civilian life. The program provides veterans with an opportunity to learn or rediscover equine assisted activities through a variety of equestrian skills including grooming, tacking, mounting and horseback riding. Through interaction and maintaining control of a horse, veterans build strength while improving balance, coordination, confidence and self-esteem. These benefits help support recovery from injury and stress. Veterans are also encouraged to become volunteers of Horses for Heroes to offer peer support to fellow veterans in the program.
Unmounted Horsemanship Program
This is a skill based program that takes place on the ground (no riding). Sessions focus on learning safe horsemanship, building confidence and providing a positive learning experience. Our staff teaches horse communication, safe horse handling, and the basics of good care including grooming, first aid, and feeding.
Horse Adventure! Summer Program
This four-morning session in August brings children with and without special needs together to promote acceptance of self and others, provide team building experiences, and encourage self-expression while having fun learning to ride and care for horses. Previous riding experience is not required.
Where we work
External reviews

Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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MANES & MOTIONS THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER
Board of directorsas of 07/14/2020
Joanne Higgins
YWCA New Britain
Term: 2018 - 2018
Emily Curtis
Prudential
Joanne Humen
YWCA New Britain
Barbara Kirejczyk
EDRO Corp
James Massi
Lynn Ricci
Hospital for Special Care / Manes & Motions
Marion Sgroi-Varano
Accounts Management
Steve Parker
CBS Radio