PONY POWER THERAPIES

Located on a fully accessible 13-acre farm in Mahwah, New Jersey, Pony Power is Bergen County’s only facility that provides equine- (specifically horse-) assisted activities for people who need extra support. In recent years, programming has expanded to include nature-based programs that utilize the entire farm.

The organization was founded in 2000 by Executive Director Dana Spett, a lifelong equestrian and Doctor of Social Work who discovered therapeutic horseback riding as an alternative treatment for one of her daughters. In 2005 Pony Power became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Pony Power has been a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International Member Center since 2000. PATH is the equine-assisted activity industry’s leading accrediting body. All Pony Power instructors are certified by PATH or working toward their certification.

Time spent with horses and in nature can benefit everyone. Our participant community is broad and includes people with physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as those experiencing learning differences, mental health diagnoses, trauma, loss, and life-limiting or life-threatening diseases. Through partnerships with local organizations, we also serve people facing food, housing or financial insecurity.

Pony Power welcomes approximately 250 participants of all ages to the farm each week. We work with both individuals and groups, including schools, adult day programs, hospitals, community organizations, seniors in assisted living or specialized programs, and veterans.

Our community disproportionately faces physical and financial barriers to accessing equine- and nature-based experiences. We are a fully inclusive environment, dedicated to removing all barriers to participation.

We also recognize that there is a "service cliff" once a person with disabilities turns 21, and that our adult participants may have different needs or goals than our younger participants. Several of our programs are designed specifically for adults to connect with the farm. In addition, we recently began to offer supported employment opportunities for adults with outside job coaches.

Pony Power's programs are centered around the remarkable benefits of time spent with horses and in nature. All programs are rooted in social work theory and practice, and are designed to enhance participants’ physical, mental and social wellbeing.
Our equine-assisted programs are open to those who need more support or different programming options than what traditional equestrian centers offer. As our participant community has grown, we have expanded beyond equine-assisted activities to offer additional nature-based programs that make use of all aspects of the farm.
Some of the many benefits our participants experience include improved strength, balance, posture, flexibility, verbal and nonverbal communication, attention, motor planning, direction following and problem solving. Equally important for our participants are feelings of community, connection and joy—antidotes to isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression.

Therapeutic horseback riding: our flagship program focuses on basic riding skills in a safe, structured and supportive environment. In addition to one-on-one instruction from a qualified therapeutic riding instructor, each Pony Power rider also has a volunteer lead walker and side walker for additional support and safety. A horse's movement is rhythmic, repetitive, responsive and mirrors the human gait.
By maintaining an upright position on a horse's back, riders strengthen and develop muscles in their trunk, neck and legs. Riders are also provided proprioceptive, vestibular and sensory input, helping them to coordinate movements, integrate both sides of their body simultaneously and gain a greater sense of body awareness. Our participants also experience many emotional benefits from riding, such as feelings of self-confidence, independence and accomplishment.

Horse care and horse handling: a non-riding program that promotes life skills such as safety, problem solving, responsibility and setting and respecting boundaries. Activities focus on care and handling, including grooming, lead-walking and tacking (saddling) horses.

Garden-assisted learning: one-on-one sessions in our Farm in the Forest vegetable garden, centered around all aspects of gardening. Activities include harvesting produce, sensory scavenger hunts, plant care, art-making, and learning about plants, sustainable agriculture practices and composting.

All Hands In: structured lessons for young adults with disabilities to practice life, occupational and personal-social skills. Learning experiences are centered around our horses, the farm and nature.

Supported volunteering: for participants who are interested in volunteering, but need extra support to accomplish the job. We offer coaching around two key volunteer roles: farm crew and garden crew.

Forest Babies: child-led outdoor sessions for children ages 18 months-4 years to explore their senses, feed and observe animals, walk and crawl on different terrains, taste in the garden, make music, listen to nature sounds and socialize. Sessions give both children and their caregivers a rare opportunity to disconnect from technology and simply be present in nature.

Summer programs: half-day programs for specialized groups or local organizations. We also offer one-week programs for children with or without disabilities, mental health challenges, and life-threatening or life-limiting diseases and their siblings. Activities include supported horseback riding, horse care and handling, farming, nature crafts and observing our small animals.