MISSION & PROGRAMS

Mission:
We exist to provide a hands-on, experience-based learning environment for people in difficult situations, including children, families, and military personnel. The powerful connection between people and horses is transformational. Through horsemanship, we develop character, learn ethics and responsibility, grow physically and emotionally, and discover ourselves. Our own lives improve as we improve those of our horses.

Our organization provides programs involved with equine retirement
Our organization conducts Equine Assisted Services in accordance with the EQUUS Foundation Guidelines on Qualifications of Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS).
Our organization provides outreach and/or public education programs involving horses.
Our organization is directly responsible for the care and shelter of equines involved in our programs.
100% of our total programs and services are equine-related.

Our organization CURRENTLY uses satellite, overflow, foster, and/or outreach facilities which adhere to all the policies, procedures and practices of our organization or did in the previous year. Facility information is provided for the organization's main, satellite and overflow facilities.
Summary of organization's recent accomplishments, goals, strategies to achieve the goals, and capabilities to meet the goals, including its long-term plans to sustain its programs:
The past year has brought many successes for GEP. Within our working student program, we served 14 students and had two students successfully graduate from the program and move on to higher education. One of these graduates even chose to pursue a degree in animal and veterinary science and credits GEP for helping her develop skills that will benefit her in her field. We also saw great success with our Equine Science Saturday initiative. Here, students had the opportunity to learn about subjects such as proper grooming techniques, equine nutrition, and equine biology/physiology in a classroom setting and then apply what they learned with hands-on guidance. We also supported our Gleneayre Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Team as they qualified to compete at Nationals in Tryon and achieved new milestones. Throughout the year, students had the opportunity to learn from a variety of equestrian professionals through their participation in clinics, field trips to local expos, and getting to spend a fun-filled day at the Devon Horse Show. We hope to continue to discover and expand upon new learning opportunities both on and off the farm that will help our working students grow as both individuals and riders.
     
     With the help of Kelley Spiegel, we were able to successfully update our EFL curriculum to be compliant with current New Jersey’s Learning Standards. While we continue our strong, long-standing partnership with Brookfield schools, having provided 20-hours of curriculum-based equine-facilitated services to 17 students in 2024, we are continuing to pursue the goal of connecting with more schools and after-school programs that could benefit from our services. Our equine-assisted services provide participants the opportunity to gain valuable life and character skills that help facilitate personal development including attendance, discipline, task management, life choices, social interaction, and responsibility. To track our progress, GEP gathers information from parents and guidance counselors in order to provide personalized care and guidance for our students so that they may be successful. As we continue to explore the best options for data collection, we have begun utilizing online programs which have helped to track, organize, and report on participant progress and feedback. We are always researching and striving to incorporate best identified by experts in the field of equine-assisted learning to ensure that we are providing the highest level of care to our participants. We actively work to keep our instructors’ certifications relevant and up-to-date and continuously evaluate our horses to ensure that they are able to meet the appropriate needs of the program.
     
     One of our 2024 goals was to develop programs to benefit veterans and military personnel, and, through the partnership and the support of local veteran programs, we were able to successfully provide equine-assisted services through two new initiatives. The Veterans Equine Program welcomed local veterans for a 6-week interactive horse experience where veterans met weekly for coffee, donuts, socializing, peer support, and guided, hands-on interaction with horses, led by GEP’s experienced staff. This program was provided at no cost to service members and served 10 veterans.In addition to the Veterans Equine Program, thanks to a new partnership with a local organization that provides peer support programs for veterans and first responders, we were also able to offer a safe and private location to host a “Summer Retreat on the Farm”. This retreat provided the opportunity for 27 members of the Soldier and Family Readiness Group (SFRG) including spouses, children, and family members of active-duty military members on their first deployment, to engage in guided support meetings. The retreat also provided us the opportunity to build upon last year’s goal of enhancing our volunteer program. At the retreat we were able to utilize 10 new volunteers, and, as we continue to develop our program offerings, we plan to continue expanding our volunteer base to welcome local volunteers who seek to give back to the community through horses. This serves to both further involve the community in our program and ensure that the services we provide are supported to provide maximum benefits for all participants.
     
     We are consistently working to establish and maintain a diverse range of revenue streams including appeal campaigns, corporate support, major donor cultivation, horse shows, and special events. We actively engage in corporate and local business sponsorships and in-kind partnerships, and it is thanks to our community sponsors and partners that we have been able to continue to fulfill our mission and grow our programs. This year, we implemented a new horse show format to our primary fundraiser, the Gleneayre Horse Show and Hunter Derby. The new streamlined schedule allowed us to focus on providing an equestrian event that was well-organized and efficiently run for those competing, while also providing spectators with a fun and interactive experience. This also allowed us to reduce show expenses. The weekend event generates revenue through recurring sponsorships, entry fees, a silent auction, vendor fees, and in-kind donations of products and services. The Horse Show and Hunter Derby is not only a major fundraiser but also brings members of the community out to learn more about our programs and serves as a showcase for our students. We plan to continue engaging with the local community for support and partnership opportunities as we grow our programs to provide the benefits of equine activities to more populations. Building upon our past successes and incorporating our future goals we aim to continue to serve our mission statement and show that the healing power of horse and human interaction is transformational and effectively changes lives for the better.



Please describe what steps your organization takes to ensure that:
1) all interactions between your equines and people are mutually beneficial and conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Human-Equine Interactions stated below;
2) all equines in the care of our organization and/or equines that participate in the organization's program have access to clean drinking water at all times; nutritious food in sufficient quantity, including natural forage such as pasture grass and/or hay; appropriate veterinary, farrier, and dental care; shelter and protection from the weather; sufficient safe space to move around comfortably on a daily basis; and daily opportunity to freely interact and have contact with other equines:

At the Gleneayre Equestrian Program, we house a diverse group of safe donated horses for interaction with children. We provide a caring, happy home for horses whose show careers are over but with lots of life left. We maintain our horses to the highest standards, as we believe they are all irreplaceable and directly affect the success of our program. We prioritize always allowing our horses to have a choice in how and when they would like to engage with clients. In addition, our professionals are always instructed to be mindful of any nonverbal cues from our working horses to ensure that the appropriate course of action is taken to protect both the horses and human participants. Safety is our top priority, and through our programs, we can provide horses of all ages and backgrounds with a new purpose and the opportunity to give and receive the incredible benefits of healthy human-horse relationships in a secure environment.
     
     All the horses are carefully selected for their temperaments and abilities to enter our Working Student riding program. Then, when the horses are no longer suitable for the riding program (often because of age), they move into our unmounted Equine Facilitate group programs. We provide our horses with a new sense of purpose outside of the show ring. When they are no longer able to participate in our programs, they are able to enjoy a long and happy retirement of leisure and love.
     Health and safety for our horses is a priority. Our trained staff has access to Barn Manager, an online record system for each horse. This system includes feed and hay charts, supplements, veterinarian records, notes, and medical records. Backup feed, supplement, medicine, and turnout charts are also available. Feed, hay, supplements, and medication are coordinated with our veterinarians. Annual dental care or as needed dental care is provided along with hoof care every 4-8 weeks. Parasite control and fly insect control are also provided.
     
     Each horse has its own 10 x 10 stall with a nameplate, a personal space that provides comfort and security. Maps and diagrams of horse stalls and pastures are posted, ensuring clear communication and organization. Horses have daily turnouts of 4 to 8 hours in wood-fenced pastures that are routinely checked and rotated. Horses always have access to water at all times, and all equines are checked overnight. The owner and caretaker live on the property, ensuring round-the-clock care and supervision.

Equine Transition Services:
Overview of our programs involved with rescue, rehabilitation, retraining, re-homing and/or retirement:
     At Gleneayre, we use the powerful connection between horses and people to teach, learn, grow, and heal. Our own lives improve as we improve those of our horses, and so we provide a safe haven for our program horses to live with dignity, peace, and veterinary care for the remainder of their lives.
     
     Some of our program horses were rescued directly from abusive situations, like Rosie who was abandoned in Philadelphia, and Snowflake who was used as pit-bull bait. Also, by accepting donated horses that are no longer able to compete at a professional level, we are taking a proactive approach to ensure that they never end up in a situation where they are mistreated.
     
     All the horses are carefully selected for their temperaments and abilities to enter our Working Student riding program. Then, when the horses are no longer suitable for the riding program (often because of age), they move into our unmounted equine-facilitated group programs. We provide our horses with a new sense of purpose outside of the show ring, when they are no longer able to participate in our programs, they are able to enjoy a long and happy retirement of leisure and love.

Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
Our organization provides the following Equine Assisted Services (EAS):
    Academic Learning
    Personal Development Learning

3: Total number of Equine Assisted Service Providers at Gleneayre Farm