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Our Horses and Farm Animals
Meet the Horses and Farm Animals of Touchstone Farm:
- How could a half-ton hoofed mammal be at once therapist, therapy instrument, modality of transportation, exercise machine, teacher and friend? A careful selection process and exceptional care are helpful, but the multi-faceted value of the equine assisted activity lies within these fantastic animals (Learn more about the benefits of equine assisted activities).
- Touchstone Farm is home to not only twenty five or more horses and ponies of all breeds and backgrounds, but also rabbits, guinea pigs, laying hens, goats, miniature horses, and a donkey! We hope you will visit and meet them all!
- How does a horse become a Horse Power horse?
The horses and ponies of Horse Power are the 'centerpiece' of the healing and happiness that happens here. Each potential equine resident undergoes an extensive evaluation process prior to being purchased, donated or loaned. They then come on trial for at least a month to ensure they are suitable therapy horses and are happy in their busy, productive new life. Horses in our program must be at once gentle, courageous, strong, calm and energetic. Our training and trial period puts them face to face with most of the situations they may encounter in their new life: interacting with a new herd of peers; spending time with volunteers, students and staff; mounting and dismounting methods; side-walkers, leaders, shifting weight of riders, and balls and other objects flying through the air during programs. The finalization of the donation takes place at the completion of this rigorous process.
