Two Very Different Riders

Hi. I’m Laura, the new Director of Mountin’ Hopes and I observed some riders and wanted to share my thoughts. See the pictures below.

It’s a cold, but incredibly beautiful Saturday at “Horse Sense”, which is our temporary location in the mountains north of Asheville. My first thought was one of gratitude for us being able to continue our program in this breathtaking location after selling our farm in Mars Hill. The facilities are well designed and include two enclosed arenas and an outside riding ring. Continue reading

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2011 Fall Riding Classes at new locations

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.

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Mountin’ Hopes New Strategic Direction

Due to concerns about the financial viability and continuing Last ride at Mars Hill location of Mountin Hopeschallenge 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!

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Charles Rides a horse

Charles Gets Started

When Cynthia Broaddrick enrolled her son Charles grooms horse from wheelchair at Mountin Hopes Charles, at Mountin’ Hopes in the Fall of 2005 she was confident therapeutic riding would be a good choice for him. Physical and occupational therapists had advised her that this could help Charles in his struggle with the physical challenges of Cerebral Palsy. A specific benefit of therapeutic riding for people with CP is that it teaches the body about the rhythmic sensation of gaited motion. Continue reading

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Jenna Healing with Horses

Mountin’ Hopes serves children of all ages with many different kinds of challenges and a rapidly growing number of adult riders. Jenna Nagle, aged 26, started riding at Mountin’ Hopes in the summer of 2004. Jenna Therapeutic Horseback RidingJenna, at the age of 24, suffered a medical accident that caused a loss of oxygen to her brain. The resulting brain injury left her in a coma and she was not expected to live. After that prediction, her physicians said she would be in a persistent vegetative state for the rest of her life. After 5 months of hospitalization, her family disagreed with the suggestion that she go to a skilled nursing facility and took her home to the house she had purchased before her brain injury. She began therapies with her caregivers and in the summer of 2004 she began riding regularly at Mountin’ Hopes. In the following interview her mother Karen Nagle tells the story of Jenna’s miraculous recovery and how Mountin’ Hopes has helped Jenna and her family. Continue reading

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