Spring Reins of LIFE has Moved!

June 4th, 2013

As of June 1st, 2013 – our location and our herd has moved from Pittstown (at High Pointe Equine Center since October 2010) to Broadway, NJ.  We are now operating out of CanalSide Farm in Broadway (Washington Township) just inside of Warren County.

 

The farm in Pittstown was foreclosed upon midway through our first lease.  Fortunately our ED, who  is also a lawyer was able to work out an arrangement with the bank, who became the new farm-lord to allow us to remain on the farm in a managerial and maintenance fashion.  It was a lot of work but also a very good deal financially – allowing at that time our brand new infant organization to grow some roots. In March 2013, the farm was sold to new owners.  There was support of our EAP work and acceptance of the populations that we serve, however the lease fees were essentially tripled from what we had been spending without any notice of increase. This created a very short runway to be able to operate and keep a home for the horses at the same time.  So a farm search began.

Believe it or not, it is massively difficult to find a farm home that will allow our EAGALA model work in the arena (private use of an arena with horses and clients loose  at the same time), and it is even more difficult to find a farm lord that is welcoming or tolerant of the populations served by our organization to be on the property.  Maybe this will change as EAP becomes more known and its efficacy more proven, but as of yet not the case.  In 2008 when sister/founding company Spring Reins of HOPE (LLC) was searching for a location to work out of it took 47 farm visits to find HPEC in Pittstown, so there is was a bit of an improvement because in 2013 we only had to go and see 22 farms to find one that would welcome it all.  Facility Needed 2013

CanalSide Farm is a very quaint, small and quiet facility that has a large indoor “square-pen” and a securely fenced outdoor arena.  There is an office space / greeting room that will serve for group break-outs and also intakes. There is storage for our gear and equipment.  There is a bathroom. There are even 2 minis that might want to work! But most importantly the farm owners not only understand what we do, they welcome it and support it 100%! And the location is in a place that allows our limited budget to afford the expenses of our constant high overhead – to be affordable.   And so we move forward onto the next leg of this journey…

We will be having an open house event in July to welcome you all to the new place.  Also will mention that in the past week CC has been approached by 2 mental health institutions and also an established center ranging from Hunterdon and Somerset Counties – whereby we will be meeting with them in the next couple of months to see what is possible in creating more outreach and locations for EAP in the near future… So this chapter of the story is not finished, it may, only just be the real beginning!

In the meantime, enjoy some pictures that were taken during our move from 5/31/13 to 6/2/13… and… HUGE THANK YOU’s go out to the volunteers and transportation angels who really stepped up fast to help us get all four of our herd healers safely to the new spot (YES that included Straw getting on a trailer!), and also another 15 car and truck loads with barrels, cones, furniture, files, etc, etc.

Photo Album of Move from Pittstown to Broadway NJ (June 2013)

Karin Peklak and Marisa Evans – Thank you for carrying our most precious cargo!
Lisa Heiring, Jeff Vollmer, Sue Farley, Beth Radabaugh, and Elaine Dill – Thank you for sweating through your clothes for “how about just ONE more trip?” of  “how much gear?” to get us all from A to B!
Kevin and Kristin Rossi for finding “a phone number” that we should try “just one more farm” on Memorial Day 2013 – – –
Pops Capra, for calling in a bedding order from Palm Springs to Hackettstown, NJ!
MaryEllen Salamone for helping us place our last order with Sergeantsville Grain & Feed at 8am on Saturday — to cover Straw for June!
Victoria Panna for support in shipping costs if needed…
And to Kris Smalley and Rebecca Fernaine for the moral support and guidance through a really uncertain time!

ONWARD ~ FORWARD ~ TROT-ON!

Posted in News & Events, News Releases

Tags: Canalside Farm, EAGALA, EAP, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, High Pointe Equine Center, New Jersey, Pittstown NJ, Spring Reins of Hope, Spring Reins of Life, Warren County, Washington NJ