Nestled behind trees, back a long lane just outside of Warsaw on CR 375E, "Magical" things are happening.
In October 2007, Larry and Tammy Stackhouse opened Magical Meadows, a 30-acre therapeutic horseback riding facility that caters to children and adults with special needs, with one student.
Less than two years later, the facility has grown to serve more than 30 riders and recently earned non-profit status, meaning that donations to Magical Meadows are now tax-deductible. Also, the facility's stables have grown to 14 horses of various sizes to fit all potential riders.
"The enthusiasm of them all is infectious," Tammy said. "The kids enjoy what they do, and they enjoy showing what they can do."
Tammy, executive director, program director and senior instructor at the facility, said now that Magical Meadows has gained non-profit status, "there are a lot of new avenues to pursue. It will help with fundraising."
She also said that there has been a parent advisory team put in place that will help guide the direction of what will be done at the facility. The parent advisory group will meet to discuss what they would like the facility to do for the children and how their children's needs are being met.
"This is not just a pony ride," Tammy said. "Little strides lead to big accomplishments. It is amazing what riding can do for these children."
Right now classes are held outside, which means weather is a concern. If it rains or it is too cold or hot, classes must be canceled.
That is one reason Magical Meadows is raising funds to build an indoor riding facility.
"One day I had a student who cried because she couldn't ride because of bad weather," Tammy said. "A covered facility would be great so we wouldn't have to cancel classes."
The facility provides a place for children with special needs to bond with the horses and learn essential physical and mental skills. According to information packets available at Magical Meadows, therapeutic riding programs help people with special needs "improve physical health, relax tight muscles, increase balance, build muscle strength, sharpen hand/eye coordination, improve social skills and gain a sense of control and self-confidence as the rider experiences a freedom never felt before."
While providing many benefits to riders with special needs, the facility also provides new life for something else - the horses. Several of the horses in the Magical Meadows stables have been donated to the facility, including a mini-pony and a large white draft horse.
Magical Meadows provides a home and a new lease on life for horses that have been abandoned or donated to shelters. According to a donation guideline pamphlet, "In general, therapy horses at the Magical Meadows must be reasonably sound at walk, trot and canter. They should be people-oriented, very gentle, 'bombproof,' with excellent ground manners and be relatively 'easy keepers.' Horses and ponies are screened by the director of equine facilities and operations and taken into the program on a 90-day trial basis."
Another positive happening for the Magical Meadows crew involves a unique partnership. Members of the Northern Indiana Cowboy Mounted Shooters heard about the facility and wanted to be a part of the magic.
Since the Cowboy Mounted Shooters and horses go hand-in-reign, they decided that teaming with the folks at Magical Meadows made perfect sense.
Last year, the groups teamed up for their first annual fundraiser. The Cowboy Mounted Shooters displayed their talents and then took riders from Magical Meadows through a course as an exhibition.
The partnership worked out so well that the groups wanted to team up again this year. Today, the shooters and the Magical riders will team up at the Noble County Saddle Club on Ind. 8 in Albion. The fundraiser will include a silent auction, and there will be free ice cream for all.
Ten riders from Magical Meadows will "compete" with the cowboys during the event, which starts at 5 p.m. The public is welcome at the event.
Money raised through this event and from private donations is used to fund scholarships for riders and keep the facility running.
Those who donate may specify what they would like the money to be used for, whether it be a scholarship to help a child ride, the building fund or just a general donation.
"We can't survive without our donors," Tammy said. "Most of the donations have gone to scholarships. I can't say no to a child who needs to ride."
The next six-week class session at Magical Meadows begins July 6 and continues until Aug. 15.For more information about the facility, visit www.themagicalmeadows.com To contact or to make a donation to Magical Meadows, e-mail themagicalmeadows@yahoo.com or call 574-265-3085.
For more information about the Cowboy Mounted Shooters, visit www.indianamountedregulators.com
