Magnolia Equine Assisted Therapies is located at Lucky Fox Farm in Murfreesboro, TN. We lease our space, so that means we have a monthly board bill. Luckily, LFF takes very good care of us and we have a discounted rate, but we do still have that monthly expense. Additional regular expenses include the farrier, vet, equine dentist, equine chiropractor, instructors, as well as feed and supplements. We are incredibly fortunate to have been given a generous grant from the H. G. Clay foundation in 2021. That grant is helping greatly with our expenses for now, but these expenses are ongoing. We are a 501(c)3 non profit, so any donations to help us are tax deductible! Any amount helps us and is most appreciated.

Stay tuned for 2023 fundraisers. We are in the process of planning a really fun one for October…. Trotting for Treats.

If you’d like to read further, here’s the info from our Exectuive Director, Cristin Jordan:

I have been involved with therapeutic horseback riding for 20 years, and teaching lessons for over 10. I started out teaching traditional lessons as well as adaptive lessons for students with learning or cognitive disabilities. In 2016 I was asked to start a therapeutic riding program for Meridian Equine Education Center. This program was one part of a larger for-profit business, which also provided boarding, training, lessons, horse shows, clinics, and other events. When MEEC closed in October of 2019, I had a big decision to make. Did I return to the corporate world, and teach on the side? I had done that before, and knew that I would not be able to dedicate the time needed to our program. NO! That option didn’t seem right. And ending the program all together was completely out of the question. How could I tell the kids that we had to end the program because I couldn’t afford to keep it going? I couldn’t! The only option we had was to start a non-profit organization, so that we could fundraise for the money to keep going.

A lot of people ask where the Magnolia name came from. Magnolia trees are extremely hearty and adaptive. They have been around for thousands of years, and can live in just about any climate. They just adapt to their surroundings, and find a way to thrive. Remind you of anyone? Our students are magnolia trees! They are determined to succeed despite life’s roadblocks, and they are constantly learning new adaptions to make that goal a reality. Plus, I personally think that magnolia trees are beautiful, just like our students.

Our Wish List:

Sponsorship for our horses. They REALLY like to eat. A round hay bale costs $55, and a bag of feed costs $23. They eat about 2 hay rolls per month, and about 3 bags of feed per month. Due to their age and needs, they are also on supplements that run $84 per month.

Sponsorship for riders. Our current lesson rate is $55 per hour. Though many of our families are able to afford this, some are not and need financial assistance.

Sponsorship for the farrier. Olaf and Dillon have their feet trimmed every 6 weeks. Dillon is barefoot, and Olaf wears front shoes. The farrier bill is $130 each time.

Sponsorship for vet bills. The annual visit for each horse runs close to $200; however, random things happen that we need to be prepared for.

To help with these and other needs of our program, please contact Cristin at Cristin.Jordan@MagnoliaEquine.org or click on the donation link above.