Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship

"...to provide people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities a program of individualized equestrian instruction in a safe and supportive, eco-friendly farm environment. We provide opportunities for the professional development of our instructors and volunteers as well as ongoing training of our horses for therapeutic horseback riding and animal- and equine-assisted activities."

Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, operating exclusively as a therapeutic riding center, located on 27 acres of preserved farmland in Howell, N.J. Facilities include large indoor (80' x 200') and outdoor (175' x 330') arenas and a sensory trail. Our attractive barn, with a heated, observation, waiting room, is attached to the indoor arena enabling year round lessons.

We are dedicated to bringing joy and personal achievement to people with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities by teaching all forms of horsemanship including horseback riding, equine care and familiarization with basic horse knowledge. Lessons are 45 minutes in duration, including time for horse care. Students are taught either individually or in groups of up to four riders.

Celtic Charms is a local training program for the Special Olympics.

Individual and group therapeutic riding lessons
Therapeutic carriage driving
Horse show competition
Special Olympics
Instructor-in-training program
Volunteer workshops
Black Stallion Literacy Foundation program
School groups and field trips

Tuesday thru Friday
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. - noon

Therapeutic Horsemanship provides students with practical hands-on horse experience. Students learn about riding, grooming, tacking, leading and horse behavior. All these activities have secondary therapeutic benefits, which can transfer to other areas of the student's life.

There are many benefits of therapeutic horsemanship including:

improved balance and posture
improved physical and mental co-ordination
increased muscle strength
increased confidence
improved self-image and self-esteem
improved social skills
increased focus and concentration
improved planning and problem solving skills
riding skills and equine knowledge
learning to take care of an animal

Some of the disabilities that can benefit from therapeutic horsemanship include, ADD/ADHD, amputation, autism, cerebral palsy, depression, developmental delay, down syndrome, head trauma/brain injury, hearing impairment, learning disability, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, speech impairment and visual impairment to name a few.

Students range in age from 4 years and upward and vary in skill level from beginners to intermediate. They benefit from knowledgeable instruction and social interaction with staff, volunteers, fellow students and horses.

Horses and ponies are carefully chosen for their calm attitude, temperament, manners and adaptability. Ongoing training and exercise ensure their continuing suitability. We make certain that our equine friends are happy and content by keeping their environment as natural as possible... in herds and out in the pasture.

Bridie: Bridie is our gorgeous 15.3hh, chestnut, draft/quarter horse cross mare, who loves to work. She's strong enough to carry our larger students but gentle enough to carry our smallest!

Enya: Our 15hh, quarter horse, flea-bitten gray mare, Enya, is our "been there, done that" sweet ol' lady. She won our hearts with her gentle, trusting nature. She takes care of her charges and is perfect for our students who are transitioning from on-lead to independent riding.

Finn MacCool: Adopted - Gentle Finn MacCool is our 15hh, chestnut, welsh/quarter horse cross gelding. Always ready to please he sensitively follows the directions given by our students. With lots of lift at the walk and trot he's perfect for the student who needs extra movement. Lucky Finn has been "adopted" by Andrew Pinto for 2012.

Mazoo: Our rock star Mazoo, is a 15.3hh quarter horse paint. Preferring the company of people rather than horses, he commands attention... and gets it! He's always a crowd pleaser at our Equine Experience days.

Merlin: Our little magician is a 11hh chestnut, welsh gelding who is perfect for our smallest students. He is also the face of our Black Stallion Literacy Foundation™ program.

Misty: Misty is a very cute haflinger, and the foundation of our up-and-coming carriage driving program. Our grateful thanks to Ann Miles of The Carriage Barn in NH, for entrusting this lovely, experienced mare to us. Misty is a gorgeous 13.2hh haflinger.

Seamus: Seamus is our registered paint show pony. At 14.2hh he turns heads with his superb conformation, sorrel coloring and flaxen mane and tail. A veteran show pony, Seamus and his student did us proud at the 2010 HRH of N.J. horse show.

Tahra: Lovely Tahra is a sweet, 14.2hh chestnut, welsh/quarter horse cross. She has been beautifully schooled and is the perfect pony for our independent students.

Irish: Our grey tuxedo barn cat loves nothing better than to be left alone to keep an eye out for all pesky critters.

Jake: Too-cool-for-school Jake, our teacup, pot-belly, rescue pig, is a vital part of the clean up crew... allowing not a morsel of horse food to be left for pesky critters.

President: William M. Landuyt
Secretary: Kevin G. Kilgallen, Esq.
Treasurer: Mark A. Alexander
Trustees:
Patrick Barton, M.S.
Henry O. Boenning, C.P.A.
Wallace M. Conover
Susan P. Levine, M.A., C.S.W.
Argo T. Parrello, P.E.

Our experienced instructors are dedicated, knowledgeable, PATH Intl.-certified professionals who love to share their passion for horses with their students. Their knowledge of disabilities enables them to individualize lessons for optimum student success. Ongoing continuing education ensures instructors keep pace with advancements in the field.

Executive director: William Landuyt
Program director: Christine Landuyt
Community outreach director: Dina Parrello
Equine director: Nancy Forsyth
Office manager: Lisa Russo
Animal attendant: Karen Kucin
Facility manager: Ralph Reo
Certified PATH Intl. instructors:
Dolores Cutler
Nancy Forsyth
Christine Landuyt
Dina Parrello
Sara Van Ness

Our lesson volunteers, who need to be at least 14 years of age, attend special workshops to learn grooming and tacking, leading, side walking and mounting/dismounting techniques.

Three levels of training give volunteers the opportunity to advance within the "ranks" and improve their horsemanship skills.

As a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit, we are dependent on the generosity and support of those people who believe in our mission and the benefits that therapeutic riding can produce for our riders. We could not run our program without the help of our sponsors and volunteers. How can you help?

Become a volunteer
There are so many opportunities for volunteers from leading horses and side walking students during lessons, to horse care and barn maintenance. Not sure about working with horses? No problem, we have trails that need clearing and maintaining, fences that need checking…the list goes on.

Be a sponsor!
Lesson fees do not come close to covering the cost of running the program. We need your financial support to help:
a) Maintain the program. It costs approximately $3,000 per year to take care of one horse. This amount pays for the vet, vaccinations, farrier, dentist, feed, hay, shavings. Why not "adopt" one of our horses for a month, six months or a year! It makes a great gift.
b) Fund scholarships. Many of our students would not be able experience the benefits of riding without the support of our "Pink Sock" scholarship fund.

Donations can be made by either pressing the Donate button below and making a contribution through PayPal or by sending a check to Celtic Charms Inc.