Please help to support Tea Biscuit

Mountin’ Hopes believes in caring for our retired horses who are no longer able to be ridden. Tea Biscuit worked at Mountin’ Hopes for many years, from 2004 to 2009. He has been such a wonderful asset to Mountin’ Hopes and he was  the first horse for many riders.  He is a gentle soul who deserves to live  out the rest of his life in peace and without pain.

Tea Biscuit needs to be on a dry lot because he is prone to laminitis which is a hoof disease.  Easting pasture grass seems to cause him to get this problem, so he does much better in the winter than in the summer.  Since this condition can be very painful, at an appropriate time, we will help Tea Biscuit to cross-over.

It costs about $300 a month to support Tea Bisuit. This includes his leasing dry lot pasture, medication and senior feed.

If you would like to help us care for TeaBiscuit in his retirement years please click here to make a donation.

Spring Riding Program Begins in April

Mountin’ Hopes is thrilled to announce our Spring 2012 Riding Program

The Spring Riding Series will begin on April 2nd and ends on May 26th.
Lessons will be held on:
Monday afternoon: 3 pm, 4 pm 5pm
Friday morning: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am
Saturday: 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm

RIDERS
Riders of all ages and experience are welcome at Mountin’ Hopes.
If you would like to ride, please look at the dates and times mentioned above and let us know what works for you.
All riders, whether or not you have ridden with us before, will need to complete a rider information sheet. This will help the riding instructors to ensure that the riders have the best experience.
New riders will need to complete all the rider forms that are found here.
We have a limited number of Scholarships available this year. Scholarships are based upon need. Here is the link to the Scholarship form.

VOLUNTEERS

We are still in need of more volunteers.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Mountin’ Hopes.
We could not have succeeded over the years without your help.
We need volunteers to assist in the actual riding program.
You will be leading the horse of assisting the rider by being a sidewalker.
No experience is necessary.
All volunteers, new and experienced, will need to attend one of the volunteer training sessions which are scheduled for Tuesday, March 27 from 4 to 8 pm OR
Saturday, March 31st from 9 am to 1 pm.
Please contact Laura to sign-up for Volunteering training.

For more information contact:

Laura Nelson at 828-884-5824 or email: execdir@mountinhopes.org

Mail forms to:
Mountin’ Hopes
c/o Laura Nelson
292 Sun Meadow Lane
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

Annual Board Meeting 2011

Mountin’ Hopes had its annual Board meeting on November 28th, 2011. The activities for the current year were reviewed including the sale of the Mountin’ Hopes property in Mars Hill. The Board of Directors recognizes the fact that about 2/3 of all Mountin’ Hopes revenue needs to come from outside sources, including grants, donations and fundraisers. We have a large number of riders who are on scholarship and we want to continue to be able to do this for our riders.

The strategy for 2012 includes:

• Having Spring and Summer riding sessions in Marshall and Mills River
• Increasing the number of riders,  volunteers and instructors
• The Board of Directors will focus on Fund Raising and recruiting new Board members
• The Planning committee looking into options for buying a smaller farm, taking advantage of long-term lease options or expanding to other locations.
• Having Laura Nelson as the Executive Director (Part-time)
• Here is the presentation by Mountin’ Hopes Annual Meeting 2011

We look forward to an exciting and joyful experience for everyone at Mountin’ Hopes in 2012 and beyond!

Mountin’ Hopes had its annual Board meeting on November 28th, 2011. The activities for the current year were reviewed including the sale of the Mountin’ Hopes property in Mars Hill. The Board of Directors recognizes the fact that about 2/3 of all Mountin’ Hopes revenue needs to come from outside sources, including grants, donations and fundraisers. We have a large number of riders who are on scholarship and we want to continue to be able to do this for our riders. Continue reading →

Fall Riding Classes to be held at new Locations

Mountin’ Hopes is excited to announce the new locations for the Fall Riding Program beginning the week of October 17, 2011. We will be holding classes at 2 locations. Horse Sense of the Carolinas which is located in Marshall and Creative Horse Connections which is located in Mills River.

The Mountin’ Hopes Board of Directors feels this is a wonderful way to continue on with riding as we determine the longer term direction for the riding program.

Click here to see directions to new locations.

Due to concerns about the financial viability and continuing challenge of managing a 45 acre farm, the Mountin’ Hopes farm in Mars Hill was sold on October 11, 2011. We will continue with the riding program at other locations as the Board of Directors determines where to purchase a new and smaller farm. Letter from Chairman of the Board

The last ride at Mountin’ Hopes was a wonderful new beginning but brought forth feelings of sadness too. Many people have poured their hearts and soul into that land and we will all treasure the beautiful memories that had been made there!