Frederick County 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program

05/28/2026

The barn is coming along nicely. We’ve begun rebuilding essentials needed to get our program up and going again. We lost all our adaptive equipment in the fire so we are recreating. I thought it might be fun to share some of our special homemade adaptive tools that help our riders achieve their goals.
These are our self-made walk on and whoa buttons. They are used by our non-verbal riders to communicate with their horse and riding team. On the left are the components that go into each button set. Yes, they are mason jar lids and repurposed blanket straps. This aid snaps onto the saddle d rings. They provide a voice to riders who need one. They also help our riders achieve more independence and build self-confidence.

05/11/2026

We’re really taking shape. The picture on the right is our future trp tack room. Contractor hopes to have basic barn finished end of May. Then we start the fun part of putting the program back together. Going to be lots of work but we are so ready to be up and trotting again. Thank you to all those who have helped us in so many ways to rebuild our program.

05/04/2026

Bambi and Cupcake, our therapy horse ambassadors, recently visited Sabillasville Environmental School to share information about our therapeutic riding program. Students learned about safety, adaptive equipment, horse care and the physical, emotional and therapeutic benefits horse interactions can help provide to humans. Outreach visits like this are supported by grant funds from the Maryland Horse Industry Board through the MD Horse Discovery Centers Program.

04/30/2026

The Dawg Wash in Thurmont held this great fundraiser around the holidays benefiting FC4HTRP. They recently presented us with a check for $500. We appreciate their support.

04/27/2026

We are looking for donations of 2 CHEST FREEZERS for our new barn. One around 7 cubic and one around 22 cubic. They don’t need to work. They just need to be clean, no mold present and solid with no rust holes. They store our feeds. Also need clean used REFRIGERATOR for meds, apples, carrots and water for new barn. Please text or call Debbie at (301) 788-6418. We can pick up if necessary.

04/18/2026

We have a roof and a floor. Moving right along.

04/01/2026

Now we’re talking. Some real progress. Very excited to see this at last.

04/01/2026

03/21/2026

The sign we’ve been waiting for. Our barn builder has started to drop off materials. I woke up from a dream yesterday that I was in the ring teaching. Students were riding around. Horses were doing their thing. It was wonderful. It was only a dream but this is a step in the right direction. We are coming back. 😃

02/16/2026

Waiting patiently for our barn builder. He says he will get to us in March. Tomorrow begins the lunar calendar Year of the Horse. We celebrate that every year! The Winter has been tough. We are grateful to our troop of very special volunteers who have “held the fort” caring for our horses and ponies this year. Looking forward to warmer and longer days.