MANE STREAM IN THE NEWS

November 2023

STRIDES Magazine - Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International

November 2023

Echoes~Sentinel | By Joyce Andreski
Long Hill Boy Scout Troop 56 Earns Horsemanship Badge

Ten Boy Scouts from Long Hill Troop 56 spent the afternoon on Friday, Nov. 3 learning about, caring for and even riding horses to earn their Horsemanship Badge. The Scouts were welcomed by Mane Stream in Oldwick.

Mane Stream’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with physical, developmental, emotional, and medical challenges through a diverse program of equine assisted activities, therapy services, and educational initiatives.

At Mane Stream, the Scouts learned horse anatomy, horse care, and safety, as well as how to make horse treats, grooming, tacking, and even some riding.

The Scouts also learned how horses help people emotionally and how they help people with disabilities.

May 2023

Hunterdon Review | By Marin Resnick
Mane Stream tips its hats to the Kentucky Derby

A collection of Kentucky Derby-style hats converged upon the field of the Mane Stream facility as family and friends gathered to celebrate Derby Day at the PARTY IN THE PADDOCK on Saturday, May 6. Continue reading

March 2023

Fox and Friends: VIDEO CLIP
Mane Stream uses horses to provide therapy and lessons to those with special needs
'Fox & Friends Weekend' co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy and her daughter, Valentina, visit Mane Stream, a non-profit that offers equine assisted activities to those with special needs ahead of World Down Syndrome Day.

November 2022

American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. Magazine
Mane Stream Celebrates 50 Years
AHA, Inc. Facility Member Mane Stream in Oldwick, NJ is celebrating 50 years of unbridled possibilities. Founded by Octavia Brown in 1972 (formerly the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center) is the second oldest center of its kind in the nation and was the first one opened in the state of New Jersey. Mane Stream was at the forefront of adaptive riding and therapy services incorporating equines and has been evolving with…Continue Reading

October 31, 2022

Echoes-Sentinel - LONG HILL TWP.
Trotting to Success: Joseph O’Leary wins first place at Mane Stream
Gripping the reins, Millington resident Joseph O’Leary, 15, nudged his white horse with his heels, ushering his steed into the competition ring. After taking a few deep breaths, O’Leary led his horse into a walk. He changed up the horse’s rhythm, bringing it into a trot and then a canter. Standing in anticipation with his parents, Kathy and Tom O’Leary, an announcement bellowed over the sound system. Joseph O’Leary had won in his…Continue Reading

Fall 2022

Black River Journal | By Lee Wolfe
Celebrating 50 Years at Mane Stream
It’s a year of reflection and a time to look ahead as Mane Steam, a premier therapeutic riding center for children and adults with special needs, celebrates its 50th anniversary. A half-century is a short span in the millennia-old relationship of humans and horses, but at Mane Stream in Oldwick, it’s long enough to make an impact that lasts for hundreds of lifetimes. The 2nd oldest facility of its kind in the country was founded by equestrian Octavia Brown, who was considered a pioneer when she founded an adaptive riding program... Continue Reading

September 19, 2022

Nancy Jaffer EQUESTRIAN SPORTS | By Nancy Jaffer
It’s been 50 golden years of therapy and more at Mane Stream
It may be hard to believe in this era, but the concept of using horses for organized therapy was still in its infancy when Octavia Brown founded the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riders Club a half-century ago. The once-weekly program began on a rudimentary basis with horses provided by the local Pony Club.

Today, what she started on her Bedminster, N.J. farm has blossomed into an organization with hundreds of dedicated volunteers and deep support from the community… continue reading

April 8, 2021
The Bernardsville News | By Charlie Zavalick
Community in Connection - New program brings people together during tough times
Community in Crisis (CIC) leads a group of participants in “Horses for a Healthy Lifestyle,” a new CIC program held at Mane Stream…

Aug 21, 2020
NancyJaffer.com | By Nancy Jaffer
Not-so-Silly Girlzz dreamed up a bracelet project to benefit Mane Stream
The Covid cancellation of their sleepaway riding camp put a big hole in the summer for Charlie Brandy and Maya Green. But like others who have risen to the pandemic challenge instead of stewing about it, the teens found a way to keep busy while giving back…

December 2019
NJ Advance Media for NJ.com | By Michael Mancuso
Magic of horse therapy brings kids with special needs a sense of peace
Kathy O' Leary has been bringing her 12-year-old son, Joseph, to occupational, physical and speech therapy since he was 2 1/2. His longtime physical therapist had been saying she wanted Kathy to "get him on a horse," "Finally, last year he said it he would do it," said Kathy, of Millington. She brought him to Mane Stream, in Oldwick, a non-profit whose…

October 2019
Comcast Newsmakers - Interview
Mane Stream Therapy Services with Melanie Dominko-Richards, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS
Jill Horner speaks with Melanie Dominko-Richards, Coordinator of Therapy Services from Mane Stream, about Therapy Services. Interview recorded 10/29/2019.

October 2019
Comcast Newsmakers - Interview
Horseback Riding For Cancer Patients with Trish Hegeman of Mane Stream
Jill Horner speaks with Trish Hegeman, Executive Director from Mane Stream, about Horseback riding for cancer patients. Interview recorded 10/29/2019.

September 2019
EQUUS Foundation
EQUUS Foundation Announces 2019 Platinum Performance Horse Welfare Award Recipients
Mane Stream’s Myrell wins an Honorable Mention! The following ten horses will receive gift cards for a bucket Platinum Performance Equine. Read about these wonderful horses by…

July 2019
NJ.com
Therapists From Around The World Come To Learn At N.J.’s Mane Stream
Mane Stream was a host facility for the American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part II June 13 to 16. Ten therapists from around the world (including Canada and Chile) spent four days learning from AHA, Inc. faculty Gina Taylor, MS, OT, HPCS and Meredith Bazaar, MS, CCC-SLP, HPCS about the ins and outs of utilizing equine movement as part of a client's integrated plan of care…

December 2018
Black River Journal Magazine
Horses Changed My Life (page 40)
Read the motivational story about Alanna’s serious medical challenges and how Horses Changed Her Life! Lithe and athletic, Alanna Flax-Clark competes in para-equestrian dressage, which is guided by the same basic rules as conventional dressage, but with riders divided into different competition grades based on their fundational abilities. Alanna and her Dutch Riding Pony, El Paso are training for the Para National Championships in Tryon NC with the ultimate goal of competing in the 2020 Paralympics games in Tokyo.

September 2018
Equus Foundation Inc.
EQUUS Foundation Announces 2018 Grant Recipients
The Board of Directors of the EQUUS Foundation is proud to announce that the EQUUS Foundation awarded over $200,000 in grants to qualified equine organizations this year. The EQUUS Foundation awards small grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 to charities that undergo the EQUUS Foundation comprehensive and unique verification process and receive the EQUUS Foundation Guardian designation. Especially now, with the advent of the internet and social media, it is essential to make sure that organizations making appeals to potential donors and grant makers are fully transparent and operating at the highest standards. 

August 2017
Practical Horseman
Competing Against Cancer by Monica Oliver
Four brave women stood in the center of a large indoor arena in front of 200 people one evening last May. Each described how being with the horses helped her to cope with cancer: living with, recovering from or carrying on with the fear of its deadly return. The event was held by Mane Stream, a New Jersey based therapeutic riding program.  There wasn't a dry eye in the house....
 

April 11, 2017
Flemington Elks Announce Installation of Officers and Awards
Elks Camp Moore in Haskell, NJ to sponsor 5 children for a summer camp; Mane Stream; Riding With Heart; Hunterdon Outreach Programs; The ARC ...

January 21,  2017
Robyn Andrews and Fancianna Capture CPEDI 3* Victory at 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival
Wellington, FL – January 21, 2017 – Week two of the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), features CPEDI 1*/2*/3* Para Dressage, presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena. Competition continued Saturday at The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), in Wellington, FL.

The CPEDI concludes on January 22 with a full schedule of classes beginning at 10 a.m., including Para Freestyle CPEDI 3* tests. The 2017 AGDF hosts seven CDI events, two CPEDI competitions, and national shows through March 25.

January 15, 2017
2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival Concludes Week 1 with Win for Christoph Koschel and Ballentines 10
Wellington, FL – January 15, 2017 – Week one of the 2017 Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), the Lloyd Landkamer Memorial presented by the AMCI Group to benefit Brooke USA, concluded its final day of competition on Sunday at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC), in Wellington, FL, with a victory in the FEI Intermediate I Freestyle for Christoph Koschel (GER) and Ballentines 10.

The circuit resumes January 20-22 with the CPEDI 1*/2*/3* Para Dressage, presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena. The 2017 AGDF hosts seven CDI events, two CPEDI competitions, and national shows through March 25

June 15, 2016
Mane Stream Riding Center Offers “Unbridled Possibilities” for Special Needs

There is something relaxing about horseback riding. For individuals with disabilities, sitting astride a majestic animal and being led, gently, down a path or around a ring can have calming effects. 

The practice known as Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies is one of the programs offered at Mane Stream, a 44-year-old riding center in Oldwick that advertises “unbridled possibilities” for those with special needs. Mane Stream’s annual summer camp starts Monday, June 20, and needs volunteers aged 14 and up to work alongside their camp counselors and help with the campers throughout the day.

“We’re trying to build up our army for the camp,” said Melanie Dominko-Richards, a speech and language pathologist, equine specialist, and adaptive riding instructor at the facility. “It runs five days a week for eight weeks, and we would love for them to come for a full day, though we only ask for a weekly commitment of one to four hours for the duration of the eight-week session. You don’t need horse experience. A love for kids is helpful, of course. But other than that, we can work with anybody as long as they are willing to get a little dirty!”

January 27, 2016
USA Victorious at $10,000 CPEDI3* Para-Equestrian Dressage Tour and Rebecca Hart (USA) Repeats for Another High Point Championship
...The two $10,000 CPEDI3* shows were presented by Mission Control, Mane Stream, courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Adequan®, and Nutrena. Mane Stream, located in Oldwick, New Jersey, is designated as a Premier Accredited Center of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International, (PATH). Mane Stream provides education, accreditation and resources for the equine assisted activities industry.
     Linda Dietz, President of the Board of Directors for Mane Stream, said, “It’s important to us to support this show because this is what we do. We offer equine-assisted physical, occupational and speech therapy. We’re one of the oldest PATH accredited centers in the country, and we’ve been around for nearly 42 years. We think that it is inspirational for our riders, and we would love to see some of our riders on this team as well. We couldn’t have done this without the help of Rowan O’Riley.”
     Rebecca Reno, representative for Mission Control, added, “Being a sponsor at these shows was incredible. Our athletes are tough and don’t complain. They rode in the covered arena, in the wind, in the rain and there was no whining from a single rider. I know that everyone works so hard at home, and there have been things that they all have overcome, but wow.”
Reno concluded, “That is a mental attitude. These riders don’t complain they get on and ride. I think that’s why they’re so successful. We’ve been so pleased and even though the weather wasn’t the best, this solidified for us why this has been so amazing. It’s been an honor to help sponsor the show.”  READ FULL STORY

January 24, 2016
Team USA Collects Second CPEDI 3* Team Win; Rebecca Hart Reigns as Overall High Point Champion at PBIEC
Competition at the second CPEDI 3* of the season at the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) concluded with Team USA maintaining their control of the leaderboard, winning their second consecutive team CPEDI 3* victory at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC). This week’s CPEDI 3*, presented by Mane Stream courtesy of Rowan O’Riley, Mission Control, Adequan®, and Nutrena, hosted competitors from the United States and Canada as they prepare for the 2016 Paralympic Games. Click here to read full story

January 7, 2016
International Athletes Prepare for the 2016 Para Equestrian Dressage Tour with the First $10,000 CPEDI3*
United States of America, Canada, and Mexico will be competing in The first $10,000 CPEDI3* of the 2016 Para-Equestrian Dressage Tour held in Wellington, Florida. The $10,000 CPEDI3* is held in the The Stadium at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF). January 8, commences with the Team Test competition, followed by the Individual Test on Saturday, and the Freestyle on Sunday. Para-Equestrian Dressage Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV will be participating. The FEI ground jury for January 8-10, includes Kristi Wysocki (USA), Carlos Lopes (POR), and Marco Orsini (GER). The $10,000 CPEDI3* is presented by Mission Control, Mane Stream, courtesy of Rowan O'Riley, Adequan®, and Nutrena. The Para Equestrian Dressage Tour includes the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 8-10, and the $10,000 CPEDI3* January 21-24, 2016. The AGDF takes place at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL, from January 14 through April 2, 2016. The CPEDI3* events will be the first look at each horse and rider combination aiming for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Official Prize List posted on www.globaldressagefestival.com.  Click here to read full story

August 23, 2015
Triple Threat Clinic features best trainers
Mane Stream announces the lineup of elite professionals who will be graciously donating their time to the “Triple Threat Clinic” benefit event being held from Nov. 5 to 7 at Red Tail Farm in Bedminster. This is a unique opportunity for equestrians of all levels who will receive individualized training in the fields of Dressage, Cross Country and Hunter Jumper. All who register have the option to learn from Olympic Dressage rider Michael Barisone on Thursday, Top International Eventing rider Sinead Halpin on Friday and World Champion Hunter rider Sandy Ferrell on Saturday. 

July 29, 2015
Mane Stream is offering "Take the Reins" program to Veterans with PTSD, TBI and other disabilities
This program has two equine assisted options, each 10-weeks long starting mid-September, with a registration deadline of Aug. 15, where veterans can choose between Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) or the Riding Boot Camp.

July 26, 2015
Horses show the way for kids at Mane Stream's special camp
There are plenty of camps for kids who want to spend time with horses, both in the saddle and learning how to care for the animals. But what about children with special needs? And if a family has one sibling who is typically developing and another with special needs, do they have to go to separate destinations? Not if they know about Camp Cold Brook in Oldwick, where the youngsters blend and bond over their love for horses...

April 4, 2015
Bedminster dressage shows find a new home & Mane Stream Tack Sale
When Linda Dietz, owner of Red Tail Farm and President of the Board of Directors at Mane Stream, heard that Randy Leoni was selling nearby Hawk Hollow Ranch that hosted the shows, she thought, "`With Randy leaving, who's going to have the shows around here?' And we had the space, so we built the arena."  ... Mane Stream, specializing in adaptive horsemanship and equine-assisted therapies, will be holding an open house next Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 83 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick. Those attending will learn how the facility's horses and instructors can improve the quality of life for people with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges.

March 27, 2015
Hunterdon equestrian rounds out Team USA at the Nations Cup competition
Catherine Haddad Staller, of Tewksbury Township and Rowan O'Riley's 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding, Mane Stream Hotmail, rounded out the USA II Team effort at the Nations Cup competition in Florida.

March 11, 2015
Horseback Riding Day Camp for those with or without special needs
Registration is now open for Mane Stream's Camp Cold Brook in Tewksbury/Oldwick, an inclusive horseback riding day camp for those with special needs, their siblings and their typically developing peers.

March 11, 2015
Open house slated for April 12 for new therapy clinic at Mane Stream in Tewksbury
Mane Stream, adaptive horsemanship and equine assisted therapies, is expanding in some exciting ways and will be hosting an open house on Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 83 Old Turnpike Road, Oldwick, for local residents to see and hear how equine assisted therapies and activities can improve the quality of life for people with physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges.

February 7, 2015
Hotmail bought by amateur rider for Catherine Haddad-Staller to compete for USA Olympic Team Slot
Mane Stream Hotmail has been bought by an amateur rider for Catherine Haddad-Staller to continue to ride with the goals of the World Cup Final in Las Vegas year and a place on the American team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

January 28, 2015
Former Olympian to lead equine-assisted therapy program for veterans in Oldwick
Former Olympian and physical therapist at Mane Stream (Adaptive Horsemanship and Equine Therapies) in Oldwick, Ruth Nortje, will now provide combined physical rehabilitation and horsemanship sessions through a program for veterans with the launch of the “Take the Reins” program starting early February. 

December 29, 2014
Mane Stream in Oldwick to receive $600 from West Morris Mendham High School
Happily, Mane Stream (formerly Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center) in Oldwick made this short list, impressing the students by having improved the quality of life of hundreds of children and adults with a wide variety of physical, developmental, emotional and medical challenges since the early 70’s.

December 21, 2014
'Tis the season to give, equestrian style
Mane Stream, which offers equine-assisted activities and therapy in Oldwick, needs to replace 12 helmets as part of their normal rotation (they are supposed to be used only for five years because materials can deteriorate) and is accepting donations for that.

December 16, 2014
Bringing Mane Stream To The World
Mane Stream Inc. has given me an opportunity to be charitable in a way I never could before. Mane Stream is an equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding program located in Oldwick, N.J., just a few miles from my husband’s vet clinic, Running S Equine.

November 4, 2014
Mane Stream hosts Equus XXIII Gala 'Celebrating Unbridled Possibilities,' Nov. 15
On Nov. 15, at Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Bedminster, from 6:30-11 p.m., Mane Stream will honor Dr. Greg Staller and Catherine Hadded Staller for their generous and steadfast support of Mane Stream’s mission and the local equine community. 

April 23, 2014
Brother’s challenges inspire young author
"Take a Tall Walk with Me" celebrates Lucy’s brother but also serves as a tool for Mane Stream, an Oldwick-based nonprofit center that offers horseback therapy and adaptive riding opportunities for children with a range of mental and physical disabilities, by providing a fun and child-friendly introduction to its mission.

April 10, 2014
Neil at Hippotherapy
"Today, Neil rode around the barn outside for the first time. Although it was a bit windy, he really enjoyed it! Miss Ruth thinks that Neil is doing so well right now that riding twice a week would help immensely. Unfortunately, Neil’s current schedule just doesn’t leave room for seeing Prince (his horse) twice in one week. Neil gets so excited when he knows it’s time to go to Mane Stream!!!”

March 9, 2014
Driving for Surviving will survive for those in need
When Zlotkin died in 2011, however, the program's future was in doubt. But Mane Stream, the Oldwick-based therapeutic horsemanship group, stepped in to take over.