Quarter Moon Acres Equine Assisted Therapy Center

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating patients, including combat veterans. These issues include PTSD, depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorders and other chronic mental illnesses.

With the help of passionate volunteers, well trained and calm equines, Quarter Moon Acres has not only given riders confidence and self-control but has allowed those riders who can't walk without their wheelchair, the ability to walk, unaided with the help of their steadfast mount. It has allowed one young lady on the autism scale to not only come out of her shell when around horses but has given her the confidence to enter school events but went to prom and is now trying for her driver's license. 

Another young lady would not talk to the instructors or volunteers, or touch the horse, nor wanted to ride it. But after coaching, her horse is now the bright spot in her week. She not only looks the instructors in the eye now, but waves and shouts continuously while one the back of her favorite palomino. 

Quarter Moon Acres has grown from just a few clients in the summer of 2014 with 9 volunteers to approximately 18 clients with over 30 volunteers in the summer of 2023.

Quarter Moon Acres is a Christ-centered facility that connects people with horses in a therapeutic environment empowering individuals to turn disabilities into abilities.

Benefits

A physical and tactile understanding, beyond intellectual awareness

An opportunity to identify patterns and re-examine their usefulness.

A non-threatening environment to try out new behaviors and receive instant response.

According to CRC Health, horseback riding or equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show marked improvements in the following areas:

• Emotional awareness
• Empathy
• Stress tolerance
• Flexibility
• Impulse control
• Problem-solving skills
• Self-actualization
• Independence
• Self-regard
• Social responsibility
• Interpersonal relationships
  
  "My daughter loves QMA. she has suffered with anxiety and depression for several years. being up on a horse lets her forget her worries. She loves the horses, loves the staff because of their caring and fun attitudes. She says at QMA, there is no judgement, you can be you and are loved for it." A.M.                         "Since Nicholas has been riding at QMA, he has been calmer at home, has gotten along better with others and he has been much better at following instructions. Nicholas has a learning disability, but after being at the horse ranch, he now has confidence to do things he wouldn't do before." Nicholas's mother, R                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             "I appreciate the warm, friendly greetings each week, the kind caring helpers, the attention to detail in matching riders with horse and tack each time. I was appreciative of a safe, sanitized and well-fitting helmet. The volunteers are so kind and patient. Stables and horses are clean and well-cared for. I would highly recommend QMA to anyone." M.C.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               We are looking for volunteers, if interested please contact us.