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, our mini horse program, books in the barn, summer camps, 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, mini horse lessons, Books in the Barn, Community Programming, 4H, 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.
Meet Our Team
Shawna
Shawna is a 22 year old Quarter/Draft Cross. She stands at 15.2 hands high and loves to show her attitude, but don't let it fool you! She might act tough, but she LOVES little kids.
Shawna does well with youth and adults needing to learn how to express emotions. She often times knows our emotions before we do. She is excellent at giving back feedback and allowing the rider to learn and
Tagen
Tagen is a 22 year old quarter horse. She stands roughly at 15.1 hands and has the most calming personality. She is oftentimes patient and understanding with the riders.
Tagen often works well with our riders who need time to grow and learn at a slower pace. She enjoys having a leader with her to help guide her through the learning process with a new rider.
Blackberry
Blackberry is a 9 year old mini pony who certainly enjoys causing trouble. You can often find Blackberry out in the yard as she loves going under fences.
Blackberry enjoys being the center of attention and loves when the kids spend time grooming, petting, and walking her. She is used throughout the 4H program and enjoys her handlers each and every day.
Fiona
Fiona is a 10 year old mini horse who loves attention. She was brought to the program after the needs in her previous life changed. Fiona has had no formal training or up keep in the last two years but certainly has not forgot her skills of driving, leading, and interacting with people.
We recently found out that Fiona is partially deaf and therefore we are learning skills to help her ada
Donkey
Donkey is a 3.5 year old mini donkey that came to our program after his life situation changed and him and his two friends needed a new home.
Donkey is a gentle soul who just loves attention. He has the willingness to learn and is always trying to play with things when he isn't eating.
Donkey is penned with Shrek and Fiona and they enjoy spending time together. Donkey will be an integral
Lucy
Lucy is a 20 year old quarter horse pony that just loves attention. Lucy was recently adopted at the end of our 2022 season and so we have not experienced much from her her yet, but she LOVES attention and so we look forward to her giving some feedback to our riders.
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Services Offered
Therapeutic Riding Lessons/Liberty On -Ground Horsemanship Lessons
Therapeutic Riding/Liberty Lesson 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 participant’s physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social skills.
Hour Lesson
30
Half Hour Lesson
20
Mini Horse Programming
Mini Horse Programming will allow students to take their horsemanship skills to a new level. Youth will be able to learn about caring for horses, leading, learning new skills, and communication. At the end of the season Youth will get a chance to participate in an end of the year Mini Horse Show to show their skills.
The Mini Horse program will focus on engaging youth with their equines in a different realm than riding. Youth will have lessons in Groups and this will be a great time to socialize, work together to learn about horses, and accomplish new skills.
Cost: $30 for 1 hour and $20 for 1/2hr
Books in The Barn
Youth that are learning to read can often be hesitant and unsure about what they are saying. Our Books in The Barn program will allow youth to come in and for a half hour sit with their favorite mini and read a book. Youth can pick from the Barn Book library or bring a book from home. This non-judgemental environment will allow youth to feel accepted no matter what they are reading on the page.
Summer Camps
Summer camp is an adventure for everyone to come and learn all about Horses in a fun way. We engage in learning, crafts, riding, snacks, and more.
Week Long 10a-1pm
100
Youth can join us for a week long summer camp all about horses. Youth will engage in riding, crafts, learning, and more all related to horses. This camp is best suited for youth K-5.
Camp dates for 2023 are June 19-22
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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!
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.
Events
Elk COunty Ag Day
Fall festival Fundraiser
Horse Club Fundraiser
Join us on June 3 as we partner with Big Maple Family Farm and the Elk County Fair Queen Program to bring you Elk County Ag Day.
This event will allow families and individuals to come to the farm and learn all about agriculture. You will be able to learn about green house alternatives, Using green methods, how to spot the spotted lanternfly and so much more.
Horse Club Fundraiser
Fall festival Fundraiser
Horse Club Fundraiser
Do you want to join our Horse Club?
Grab a ticket or two or even three and throughout the month of July we will draw a number daily.
Weekday winners could get $50 while weekend winners could get $75.
Don't miss out on your chance to be part of the club.
Fall festival Fundraiser
Fall festival Fundraiser
Fall festival Fundraiser
Mark your calendar for our annual fall festival fundraiser.
We will have some great fall activities for your family to enjoy.
Watch our website for more details.
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.
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!