You are loved.
You matter.
Your life matters.
God loves you and has a purpose and a plan for your life.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
At Locust Lane Riding Center, we provide programs that teach more than horsemanship.
Our mission is to enrich lives through equestrian activities that promote physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
We cultivate resilience and help overcome adverse childhood experiences through connected relationships with horses and mentors. We specialize in equine-assisted therapies and equine-assisted learning for personal development. Our programs educate, equip, and empower young people and adults to reach their full potential.
Investing in the life of each individual, and serving as the hands and feet of Jesus, to give them not only tools to overcome their problem, but most importantly hope, is our best defense in contributing to ending the mental health crisis in our community.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Locust Lane Riding Center provides 12 of the 15 protective factors as identified in the Youth Mental Health First Aid training manual.
- Healthy practices.
- Good self-esteem.
- Good problem-solving.
- Feeling of control in their own life.
- Spirituality.
- Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
- Parental/Familial support.
- High monitoring of youth’s activities.
- Having a good social support system.
- Availability of constructive recreation.
- Community bonding.
- Feeling close to at least one adult.
"The circumstances of your life do not dictate the outcome of your life. There IS Hope."
Programs
For Youth and Adults
Stable Moments®
Stable Moments® is designed for youth, ages 3-17. It can also apply to young adults especially if they are mentally younger. Stable Moments® is a relationship-based, non-punitive approach that uses patience, curiosity, empathy and routine to meet every participant where he/she is at. Bringing horses and participants together in a one-on-one mentorship program allows each individual to build life skills that will aid them in transitioning into a healthy adulthood and personal well-being
Volunteer Teams
Care Crew
Care Crew provides the opportunity to care for the horses and farm animals.
Team Workhorse
Team Workhorse helps maintain the farm facilities by providing opportunities to mend fences, painting, weed whacking, and trail maintenance.
Beautification Brigade
Our Beautification Brigade provides opportunities to add beauty to our farm through gardening, inspirational signs and decorations.
Giving Garden
Giving Garden provides opportunities to care for our vegetable and flower gardens.
Leg Up
Leg Up is a mentorship program targeting at-risk youth and adults that struggle with emotional challenges due to trauma or any other emotional/mental health problems. Leg Up is a one-on-one relationship-based program designed to help participants understand their experience, helping them to develop decision-making, executive functioning and self-regulation skills, as well as a sense of purpose and self-worth, by offering them hope and life-skills to transform their lives for the better!
Meet Our Founding Director
Shelly Pelet Galpin
Services
For Youth and Adults
Therapeutic Riding
In our riding sessions, our instructors work together in various capacities to create learning experiences that benefit participants physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Coaching Sessions
Clients work with a team that includes a certified professional life coach, an equine specialist, and horses to achieve desired outcomes related to personal or professional development.
Therapy Sessions
Clients work with a team that includes a mental health professional, an equine specialist, and horses to achieve desired mental health outcomes, such as healing from PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addictions.
You Make A Difference.
Become a Volunteer
There is a place for everyone at Locust Lane Riding Center!
We depend upon faithful adult volunteers to support our programming and the farm needs.
If you love kids or working with your hands, we can find a volunteer spot just for you.
Partner with Us
Would you like to see the mission of Locust Lane continue? We rely on individual donations and corporate sponsors to meet the needs of the herd, farm, and after-school programming, which is entirely free to our youth.
LLRC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
We're 100% Donor Supported
Become a Life-Changing Sponsor
Horse Sponsorship
We are always in need of financial provisions to aid in caring for our herd.
Corporate Sponorship
We are always grateful for the financial investment of our corporate sponsors.