Chastain Horse Park

Always be lifting up others... Wishing you a Happy New Year! #healingthroughhorses #whychp

Thank you to everyone that has made our success possible! We have raised $68,350 and have 14 days left in 2020 to meet our $100k goal! Every dollar makes a difference as we raise funds for our therapeutic program. Together we change lives!

Everyone loves our horses and are interested to see what is happening at Chastain Horse Park! Lewis recently had this visitor outside of his stall. Welcome Mr. Hawk! #citybarn #healingthroughhorses

Happy. Included. Valued. Confident. That is how my son Christopher feels at Chastain Horse Park. For the past twenty years, CHP has been a place where he finds belonging, purpose, and a community of friends. To address his challenges with Autism he works on horsemanship, physical therapy, and social skills. In the beginning he refused to come out of his shell. Now he finds pure joy as he proactively engages with horses, volunteers, and instructors. These connections changed... his life. As a parent, volunteer and donor, Chastain Horse Park has happily become my second home. It’s a place where we both get more than we give. As a volunteer Barn Buddy I am blessed to be friendswith the one - and - only HANK! This relationship is so meaningful to me. Christopher and I are both humbled and inspired by our daily involvement with this community. We are grateful for this place of healing called Chastain Horse Park! #WHYCHP #Healingthroughhorses See more

National Day of the Horse on December 13th encourages people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States. At Chastain Horse Park we recognize these amazing animals for their hard work, their compassion, their fun personalities, and their contributions to our programming. Share with us your fun facts on your favorite horse and his/her personality traits that just warm your heart! #nationaldayofthehorse

Chilly mornings don't stop our volunteers from getting out there and making a difference! Sarah Lloyd was giving a morning briefing to her volunteer team yesterday - thank you all for showing up and social distancing!! #healingthroughhorses

Therapeutic Riding. Outreach to underserved communities. Hippotherapy. This is what we do. It’s only possible with teamwork! Today's team: Trett (riding Miss America ) and the one only Sheryl Butler - volunteer extraordinaire! Tag someone in the comments who should know about Chastain Horse Park! #spreadlove #autism #cerebralpalsy #physicaltherapy #adhd

Thank you to everyone that has contributed to Chastain Horse Park's Therapeutic program! There is still time left to take advantage of the matching campaign! Help us raise $100,000 by December 31st - we are over halfway there! www.chastainhorsepark.org/give

My favorite memory at Chastain Horse Park is my daughter's very first ride on Zorro. She was six years old. I could tell that she was hooked immediately!! She was grinning ear to ear. Chastain Horse Park knows and understands how powerful it can be to connect with a horse. They have created a space that is inclusive of people of all levels, ability and backgrounds. If you want to be around horses, they have a way to get you involved whether it’s as a rider taking lessons or a horse leader in the therapeutic riding program. You have a place at Chastain. #whychp #healingthroughhorses #volunteer

How cute is this guy!? Throwback to Fall Festival 2019.He represents us well! We miss having events like The Fall Festival and are hopeful we’ll resume this kind of fun in the future!

Chastain Horse Park’s very own Dustin Caldwell in Strides magazine. Read about his journey and his passion for therapeutic riding! Link in bio! Dustin Caldwell

Monday mornings can be rough! Hope you had a great weekend!

Dollar for dollar, up to $100,000, your donation will be matched up until December 31, 2020! Help make a difference in the lives of our therapeutic participants as we continue to subsidize 50% of every therapeutic session to make this program accessible to those most in need. www.chastainhorsepark.org/give #whychp #healingthroughhorses

We think it's important to know who you are and what you stand for! Inclusion * Acceptance * Compassion This is Chastain Horse Park. Each of YOU make it so.

Over the years, we have witnessed firsthand the significant impact therapeutic riding has had on Noelle’s disabilities: increased confidence and independence, gains in muscle tone, coordination and speech, and her ability to execute complex instructions. It’s truly amazing to watch Noelle and her peer participants push themselves to succeed because they love being with the horses.The rides are never easy but they love the experience and leave with a feeling of joy and a smile. This therapeutic riding program has been instrumental in helping our daughter become the best she can in life! This WHY we love Chastain Horse Park. - Noelle’s mom #healingthroughhorses #whychp

Please make time to vote today! As an inclusive community, Chastain Horse Park celebrates the different perspectives that we all provide and recognize that it is your voice that needs to be heard. Please go to the polls and exercise your right to vote.

Today is THE day! It is "Giving Tuesday 2020" and we are proud to be a part of this season of giving. Chastain Horse Park's Therapeutic Program serves children and adults with a broad range of disabilities, as well as at-risk youth. Please consider supporting our therapeutic program on this National day of giving. www.chastainhorsepark.org/give

In 2019, Chastain Horse Park led over 5,300 therapeutic sessions to children and adults with a broad range of disabilities. The correlation between disability and poverty is substantial therefore all therapeutic sessions are subsidized by CHP and we offer full and partial scholarships to those most in need. Help make these services attainable by making a donation. All donations made thru December 31, 2020 are currently eligible to be matched by a matching grant! www.chastainhorsepark.org/give

Matching Gift Challenge Nov 1 through Dec 31st!! All new donations received between 11/1/2020 and 12/31/2020 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000! All donations go to support our therapeutic program, scholarships for those in need and to care for our incredible equine partners! www.chastainhorsepark.org/give #whychp #healingthroughhorses

Happy Halloween! Be safe, have fun, and remember that carrots make great treats!

We hope you are all well and weathered the storm! All is well at the barn! Matisse is helping with some leafy debris clean up ! More updates later!

Vacation season has started! Hank and Woody were dropped off at the "spa" for a week-long paid vacation! Chastain Horse Park's horse are committed to working hard in our Therapeutic program yet they enjoy their urban barn lifestyle and oodles of love from everyone...but who doesn't enjoy a fantastic vacation away from it all! #healingthroughhorses

WHY Chastain Horse Park Kelcy Rainer The moments when a rider has a major breakthrough after working for it for a long period of time. This is my WHY Chastain Horse Park. Working for a non-profit, especially in the human services sector, is a very humbling experience. One year I worked with a rider that had been participating in a therapeutic riding program for a few years before I worked with her. She was non-verbal and on the Autism Spectrum. At ten years old and at least ...5 years of lessons under her belt, she finally used her words and said ‘whoa’ during a lesson. Shortly thereafter she expanded her vocabulary to include walk and walk on. She started using a few words at home and at school. This was a major milestone achieved for this rider that happened because of the healing power of a horse. Please send Kelcy a note in the comments if you can relate to or support her WHY!

During this season of giving, double the impact of your donation! All donations received thru December 31, 2020 will be doubled by a matching grant! Please consider donating today to support our therapeutic program and mission. #healingthroughhorses www.chastainhorsepark.org.give

Last week we celebrated the accomplishments of our Therapeutic Program participants! Please give them some love!

Healing through Horses. Seven days a week!

One of our therapeutic riders, Tessa, greeting Beauty alongside her PATH certified Instructor, Dustin Caldwell. Therapeutic riding provides benefits in the areas of health, education, sport and recreation & leisure. Individuals with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance and muscular strength. #healingthroughhorses

Who doesn’t love some Monday morning muzzle?

Who knew they could do that?! #skills

Use your smile to change the world; don’t let the world change your smile. - Chinese Proverb #healingthroughhorses #smile #WHYCHP #inclusivecommunity

There’s nothing else like the sensory experience at Chastain Horse Park. Our boys feel the muscles and vibrations of the horse, the voices of the other children and the wind blowing through the big trees. This can only be found at Chastain Horse Park. - Drew White, Parent #whychp #autism #adhd #autismspeaksga #healingthroughhorses

Say hello to Winfred! Why Chastain Horse Park? Here's what his mom shared with us: "We were referred to CHP by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. My 7 year old son, Winfred, is nonverbal and and diagnosed with Unbalanced Chromosome Rearrangement and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Traditional on the ground therapy did not work for him. I brought Winfred to CHP to learn to control his body movement. He has been SO successful here. Now he can lift his legs and maneuver on and off th...e school bus safely. Multiple factors work together: the vibrations of the horse, the technical therapy and Winfred’s relationship with his Occupational Therapist, Lauris. Winfred loves his horse, Pumpkin! Winfred has gained confidence and physical skills that permeate every area of his life. His neurologist, neonatologist and physical therapists are stunned by his success. #whychp #disability #healingthroughhorses #autism #socialgoodHer

It is Rider Recognition Week and we are celebrating participants skills, achievements and future goals in our therapeutic program! A huge shout out to @mckenna.caldwell for a job well done!! Stay tuned for more celebrations this week! #healingthroughhorses #whychp

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. - Winston Churchill. #motivationmonday #whychp

Everyone needs someone that they look up to. Who is that someone for you? #healingthroughhorses #whychp #rolemodel

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. - T. Roosevelt #whychp #healingthroughhorses #believeinyourself

Chastain Horse Park has been chosen to participate in the PATH Intl. Premiere Accredited Center (PAC) Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), Inc. Scholarship Program. This is exciting news for Chastain Horse Park and the veterans that we will be able to serve. Through the work of a well-prepared team, a healthy herd and a safe facility, EAAT (Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy) is a potent healing tool for veterans and continues to earn a place among clinical and medical providers as a powerful therapeutic modality. (Serving Those who Serve, Strides Spring 2020) #whychp #healingthroughhorses #wwp #woundedwarriorproject #veterans #armedforces #ptsd #sharemilitaryinitiative

Modern cavalry war horses. Highly trained, and against their instincts will lay completely still during battle. This is a testament to the incredible trust that develops between horse and rider. The human relationship with horses goes back in history many thousands of years. Over time our relationship with them has included travel, agriculture, military service, sports, and even involvement in therapeutic services. This Veteran’s Day we thank all of our military personnel - both 2 legged and 4 legged.

Chastain Horse Park welcomes WellSpring Living each week as we work with their young teens and women as part of their rehabilitiation journey. In this exercise, one side of the horse is negative feelings-"What is it that you'd like to let go in your life?" which they wash off, effectively processing those emotions and then letting go of the hurt/pain/anger, etc. at the end of the session and the other side of the horse is positive emotions. #wellspringliving #healingthroughhorses #WHYCHP

Chastain Horse Park welcomes back Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Outpatient Day Rehabilitation program! After several months of being away from CHP, due to COVID-19 concerns and restrictions, we are thrilled to once again have our therapeutic program be an active part of their rehabilitation journey! During their time with us, CHOA professionals are working alongside ours, to help children with a variety of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and orthopaedic conditions as well as traumatic brain injuries. #healingthroughhorses #childrensatl #chastainhorsepark #whychp

Inclusiveness. Camaraderie. That’s why I love the mission of Chastain Horse Park. The horses at CHP make a positive impact on people from all backgrounds. At Chastain Horse Park, everyone involved is touched: volunteers, therapists, therapeutic clients, competitive riders and boarders, staff and parents of clients. - Jennifer Flanagan. Board Chair, Chastain Horse Park. #whychp #chastainhorsepark #healingthroughhorses #inclusion #change #disabilities

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! Children with Down Syndrome can have weakness in their trunk and limbs, short attention spans, impaired social skills and slower learning. Hippotherapy is a form of horse equine assisted therapy that provides sensory stimulation to the muscles and joints. This helps clients improves balance, body awareness, and postural control. It can also help with cognitive, behavioral, and communication skills. This interaction helps to develop memory, communication, self control and confidence.You can see Hippotherapy in action almost daily at Chastain Horse Park. Come visit us to see how it works! #healingthroughhorses #chastainhorsepark #whychp #hippotherapy #downsyndromeawareness

If a nine year old child with disabilities can learn how to control a very large, powerful animal while navigating an arena of riders and horses, what can’t he do in life? My son Alexander makes game changing progress and feels totally accepted at Chastain Horse Park. He came into the world at just twenty-six weeks old. Today he is nine. Alexander has cerebral palsy as well as orthopedic and sensory impairments. Since coming to Chastain Horse Park three years ago he has sha...ttered the goals set by his speech, occupational and physical therapists. He has surprised his neurologist and neonatologist in fantastic ways. Because of his commitment to Therapeutic Riding, Alexander has defied all odds. The confidence and big smile this brings - that’s WHY we love Chastain Horse Park. - Tammy Simmons #whychp #healingthroughhorses #whatsyourwhy #equineassistedtherapy #chastainhorsepark See more

Compassion. Inclusion. Acceptance. Horses. THIS is Chastain Horse Park. #whychp #healingthroughhorses #whatsyourwhy #atlantanonprofits

Zorro, one of CHP’s beloved therapeutic horses, is digging his new retirement home at Wild Fern Ranch-new friends, endless pasture and TLC. Thank you Grace Aldridge for providing this special horse with his next life chapter! @aldridgeclan @chastainhorsepark @wildfernranch #therapyhorse #retirement

As we enter the 4th quarter of 2020, we are going to spend some time reflecting on our "why", our mission, our purpose. We all have something that inspires us...take a moment and think about your why and enjoy our stories love the next few months of individuals that want to share their "why" with you. #whychp, #helpingothers, #bethechange, #atlantacares, #chastainhorsepark, #healingthroughhorses

Excited to be at Capital Challenge and proud of our rider! Amanda Middelthon and Nice as Twice did an incredible job in the THIS warm up yesterday and we are looking forward to their performance today in the THIS medal national finals. @ World Equestrian Center

Amazing participation today from our members becoming Stable Moments certified @chastainhorsepark

Team work! We are so thankful for this team! Without the, we couldn’t do what we do! Glad they could enjoy a McDonald’s breakfast break/tailgate between Cleaning stalls and fixing broken pipes

Let a horse whisper in your ear and breathe on your heart. You will never regret it. - Unknown . . . .... #healingthroughhorses #horsetherapy #empoweringriders

Say "Hi" to Kelcy Rainer! As our Therapeutic Program Director, she pours her heart and soul into our mission: empowering riders of all abilities through life-changing relationships with horses. Shout out a "hello" or a thank-you" to Kelcy in the comments! .... #ThrowbackThursday #healingthroughhorses #wearebettertogether

Pure satisfaction! That's what you experience when you get out of your comfort zone. When you are given new responsibilities. When you form new friendships. We love our work with at-risk youth through Carver Early College! Comment if you have seen our outreach programs in action! . #healingthroughorses @apsupdate... . . . #socialgood #changemakers #bethegood #wearebettertogether #wemissyoucarver #weloveatl

We will never forget...

So much happens in Chastain Horse Park’s Therapeutic Program each day! In 2019, we worked with children and adults with a broad range of physical, neurological, developmental and cognitive disabilities. In fact, we provided over 5,300 therapeutic sessions! Come learn more about what we do! #healingthroughhorses

Happy Sunday friends! Enjoy the day!

They call these the dog days of summer which made me think of well...dogs! Meet Gavin! Gavin has grown up visiting Chastain Horse Park. Check out his puppy picture and his more mature photos taken at CHP. Have your pups grown up visiting CHP? Send us some pics of your dog at Chastain Horse Park. #dogsofatlanta #greatpyrenees #chastainpark #barndog

Well look who it is in the AJC today! Stay cool this Labor Day Weekend! #atlantajournalconstitution #summer2020 #volunteeratlanta

Zorro needs a "retirement" home! CHP is looking for an amazing person/family to adopt our precious Zorro. Zorro is an adorable welsh/Morgan cross ~14 hands. He's been a contributing CHP herd member since April 10, 2012. He's given thousands of rides to both our therapeutic and public lessons program clients. He has arthritis in his left carpus (knee). He's "service-ably sound" but his workload needs to me minimized-that's why we're retiring him. Here's recent video of him: walk/trot/canter. If interested and for further details, please email [email protected] We will only consider excellent stewards of horse husbandry for re-homing this special pony. https://youtu.be/8sy1IkqDJjw https://youtu.be/0fuFzSLFQfQ

COVID & HORSES https://pathintl.org//1942-equine-tips-covid-19-impacts-ou

It was too hot to ride, so these participants got to practice using their reins on some very special horses today!

CHP is proud to highlight an article one of our instructors, Sarah Lloyd Sarah Louise, wrote "Understanding Children from Military Families" which was featured in Strides-PATH Intl.'s quarterly publication. #pathintl #military #chpteam https://www.omagdigital.com/publication/

Barn Buddies doing what they do best - lovin’ on the horses.

Meet Alexis. She is a teen volunteer all the way from Birmingham, Alabama. She spends one week each summer visiting her aunt near Atlanta, and for the second year chose to spend that week volunteering at Chastain Horse Park! Alexis devoted over 30 hours this week to helping with check-in, barn closing, tack cleaning, and other projects. Outstanding volunteers like Alexis make it possible for us to achieve extraordinary things!

It’s been a grey day at CHP today! #fleabittengreys #cloudyday

What a great (and free!) way to learn about disability-focused resources! The virtual Abilities Expo starts on Friday.