About Us
Our Story
Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies, Inc resides on a century family farm in which four generations have owned and operated. Our founder, Amanda Balon, is a fifth generation farmer who had a desire to help others, a passion for animals, and an idea allowing Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies, Inc. to come to life. Since 2015, the farm has become a place where people can engage positively with our equines through therapeutic riding, riding lessons, our community programming and more.
What we do
We offer programs in which individuals are able to interact with our equines and learn positive horsemanship skills. Programs include: Therapeutic Riding, Riding Lessons, Community Programming, 4H, Horse Yoga, Veteran's Programming, and more.
Everyone Deserves the chance to be the best version of themselves
Here at BMFNT we work with individuals to discover the right program for them so that they can truly accomplish goals that they set.
We work with a philosophy to keep costs low for all our participants by being a volunteer organization. The volunteers are dedicated and enjoy helping the individuals succeed.
Services Offered
Therapeutic Riding Lessons
Therapeutic Riding is skill-based instruction for children and adults with disabilities. The focus of these lessons is skill development and progression by learning horsemanship skills all while improving the rider’s physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social skills.
Hour Lesson
25
Half Hour Lesson
15
Riding Lessons
Riding lesson is a skill based equestrian instruction where rider and horse work together to build skills and independence in riding.
Hour Lesson
30
Half hour lesson
20
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Volunteer With Us
Volunteer Today
Our volunteers have many different skill sets and come to us for many different reasons. Its ok to be afraid of horses and still volunteer with us! No talent goes unused here! We need volunteers in the following areas:
Lessons (Leaders/Sidewalkers for Therapeutic Riding)
Barn (feedings and stall cleanings)
Sessions
Fundraising
Picture taking (as often as possible)
Fundraising Projects
Board of Directors
Committee Volunteers
Marketing
and so much more!
We also have great incentives! Learn how you can be a volunteer by Contacting Us TODAY!
Programs
4H Animal Science Club
4H Animal Science Club
4H Animal Science Club
BMFNT and the Penn State Extension office are partnering together to bring local youth an agricultural experience on a monthly basis.
Youth meet the Third Sunday of the month at 1:00pm.
4H is a great opportunity for youth to learn about leadership, citizenship, life skills, and how to be great role model while gaining insightful informati
BMFNT and the Penn State Extension office are partnering together to bring local youth an agricultural experience on a monthly basis.
Youth meet the Third Sunday of the month at 1:00pm.
4H is a great opportunity for youth to learn about leadership, citizenship, life skills, and how to be great role model while gaining insightful information about animals, plants, and other agricultural aspects.
*BMFNT offers a leasing option for youth who are interested in the club, but may not have a project animal.
***Cost of lease: $25/month plus one day per week of care taking for animal child leases.
OUR NEXT MEETING IS Feb 16 @1:00pm
Community Programs
4H Animal Science Club
4H Animal Science Club
BMFNT is a unique opportunity for other community programs to experience a small taste of agriculture. Schools, day camps, church youth groups, etc can all enjoy a few hours of fun and learning all while having that positive interaction with our animals.
Cost: $2 per child in group to help offset materials used
Riding Programs
4H Animal Science Club
Riding Programs
Therapeutic Riding:
Children and adults living with a physical, cognitive, or emotional disability are able to apply. Some contraindications do occur, but we meet with individuals on a one on one basis to discuss appropriate programming options.
Participants engaging in Therapeutic riding are able to be a part of a team alongside volunte
Therapeutic Riding:
Children and adults living with a physical, cognitive, or emotional disability are able to apply. Some contraindications do occur, but we meet with individuals on a one on one basis to discuss appropriate programming options.
Participants engaging in Therapeutic riding are able to be a part of a team alongside volunteers, a horse, and our instructor.
Cost: $25/hour or $15/ half hour
Riding Lessons:
Riding Lessons are offered to individuals not diagnosed with a disability. This is an opportunity for all those, young and old to learn horsemanship skills or better riding skills already learned. Lessons are offered at various times. We ask that you please look at the schedule and availability.
Cost: $30/hour or $20/half hour
Horse Yoga
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Join us for a positive interaction with our horses. Yoga has many health benefits of it's own but adding in the positive interactions with the horses, you get a whole new experience.
Subscribe to our newsletter so you can be one of the first to know for upcoming 2020 dates and offerings of Horse Yoga.
Cost is $15 per class
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
Summer Camp
In 2020 our Summer Camp Program is taking on a whole new look!
We will be offering one week long program and six additional day camp opportunities!
This is a great opportunity for youth to learn positive horsemanship skills and engage in social activities with same aged peers. In previous years, youth have learned riding skills, how to p
In 2020 our Summer Camp Program is taking on a whole new look!
We will be offering one week long program and six additional day camp opportunities!
This is a great opportunity for youth to learn positive horsemanship skills and engage in social activities with same aged peers. In previous years, youth have learned riding skills, how to properly bathe a horse, how to properly groom, and so much more.
Dates and prices to be released soon! Subscribe to our newsletter to be one of the first to know!
Help Our Cause
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop
If you would like to mail your donation, Please make your check payable to Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies (BMFNT), and mail to PO Box 172, Ridgway, PA 15853.
A timely receipt for your tax-deductible gift will be mailed out.
All donations are Tax Deductible. BMFNT is a registered 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization. Please consult a tax advisor regarding your gift.
All donations to this all volunteer organization help provide program services.
Other Ways to Help
Amazon Smile
Join us For Events
Clothing Order
*Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
*AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
*Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.
*For more information, visit http://smile.amazon.c
*Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice.
*AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
*Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com.
*For more information, visit http://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/ch/about
Be sure to choose Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies as your favorite Charity Today by clicking our link: smile.amazon.com/ch/47-3247221
Clothing Order
Join us For Events
Clothing Order
Show support for Big Maple Farm's Natural Therapies, Inc by wearing some of our gear!
You can schedule a purchase and when the order hits minimum we will finalize the order with our AWESOME shirt designers at XtremeWear!
Cost are as follows:
T-shirt: $12
Long Sleeve: $14
Sweatshirt: $28
Colors are as shown in the picture.
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Join us For Events
Join us For Events
Join us For Events
Want to experience positive animal interactions and have a family outing?
Join us at some of our yearly events.
We host an annual Easter Egg Hunt, Fall Festival, and more.
Subscribe to our Newsletter to learn when upcoming events are!
Fall Festival Fun
Pumpkin Slingshot
Pumpkin Slingshot
Pumpkin Slingshot
Join us Oct. 3 and 4 from 11-5 for some Fall Fun at the Farm!
We will have our Pumpkin Slingshot ready for action! Every admittance gets pumpkins ready to fire.
Pony Rides
Pumpkin Slingshot
Pumpkin Slingshot
While your here meet our team of horses as they give out pony rides.
Kids can ride unlimited amounts of time between 11-5 with the purchase of their wristband.
Hayrides
Pumpkin Slingshot
Hayrides
Our hayrides will be going all day. We will be asking that you follow social distancing and families to sit together.
Please be sure that you come to enjoy the wonderful fall scenery on the farm.
Fall Festival Fun Continued...Because well we have lots!
Farmcaching
Smore's Bar/Concession
Smore's Bar/Concession
The weather was not on our side this year with such a dry and hot time period, our corn maze did not grow. So we have developed a fun event for families to engage on a working farm tour with a little bit of excitement and following the trail! Join us for our Farmcaching! Families will be able to pick items from location points on the far
The weather was not on our side this year with such a dry and hot time period, our corn maze did not grow. So we have developed a fun event for families to engage on a working farm tour with a little bit of excitement and following the trail! Join us for our Farmcaching! Families will be able to pick items from location points on the farm and be able to retell the story of how things work here on the farm!
Smore's Bar/Concession
Smore's Bar/Concession
Smore's Bar/Concession
Our smore's bar will look a little different this year but don't let that stop you from enjoying our awesome items!
We will have a concession stand open so come hungry!
Some items you might find:
Walking Tacos
Chili
Hot Dogs
Burgers
Chips
Candy bars
Cookies
Etc.
Obstacle Course
Smore's Bar/Concession
Obstacle Course
Garrett is one of our younger volunteers who loves to engineer and design things. He is once again at it to build an awesome obstacle course for everyone!
We have so many asking for this activity to be back and so we are ready to make this experience a good one for you!