Somerset County, N.J.’s former Lord Stirling stable in Basking Ridge is getting back into the swing of things after a halt to its major equestrian programs due to Covid in 2020.
An open house over the weekend for its new equine-assisted therapies program, Rocking Horse Rehab, drew scores of families and others interested in seeing what is happening at the facility now called the Stable at Lord Stirling Park.
Rocking Horse was based at the Essex Equestrian Center in West Orange for 22 years, but had to move when that facility closed down last December. The organization’s mission is to “enhance the quality of life of individuals with disabilities and their families by offering innovative opportunities for clinical, educational and social development.”
Sheri Marino, founder of Rocking Horse, had boarded her own horse at Lord Stirling, so she knew it was “the perfect place for our program to reside and serve the community. It was just a dream come true that the county was willing to work with us…and make this happen for the community, especially those families with special needs who need services like this.”
She has bachelor’s degrees in speech pathology and audiology, and a master’s in communications sciences and disorders.
Octavia Brown, one of the pioneers in developing therapeutic riding in this country, has been a mentor to Sheri.
Octavia Brown and Sheri Marino at the stable. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“She inspires others to follow her lead,” said Octavia, who visited the open house.
“I sort of see her as one of my heirs, if you will.”
Rocking Horse brought five horses to the stable for a soft opening last month. The open house marked its grand opening “so we could make the county (residents) aware that we’re here and ready to serve,” noted Sheri.
In February, the stable began offering guided trail rides several times a week with six horses. Pony rides and grooming also continue. Hunter paces are being held, as are dog walks on a regular schedule.
Prior to Covid, Lord Stirling had a major lesson program, but the horses were sold during the pandemic and there is no indication when formal lessons could resume.
When asked whether the stable might offer riding lessons eventually, Geoff Soriano, the Somerset County Park Commission’s executive secretary/director, said the agency is thinking about starting lessons.
“The hard part is finding the right horses,” Greg noted. He said they are going to see if perhaps some trail ride horses can be converted for use in lessons.
County Commissioner Melonie Marano did not want to put a timeline on what will happen in terms of riding instruction at the stable.
“The mantra is `Right, not rushed.’ I can’t tell you what the future will hold,” she explained.
“We take it one step at a time. We get it to our task force, they explore those options, we see if we can get the right horses, the right instructors, the right mix, the right budget. All those things together have to be connected in a puzzle piece to make it right. We’re exploring everything right now.”
She added, “The job of Somerset County is to promote this location so that everyone in the county, from Franklin to Bernardsville to Branchburg to North Plainfield, knows that this is here for them.
“If the public has ideas that they wish for us to explore, let us know. I can’t make any promises, because I never know if we have the resources to execute those promises, but we evaluate them and we explore them.”
One thing she would like to see is getting veterans, especially those suffering from PTSD, to the stable for some therapy with the horses.
“That’s another long-term goal,” she commented.
Horses eventually will be taken out of the main stable, an old dairy barn, after 12 to 16 new stalls are built.
County Commissioner Sarah Sooy, who first sat on a pony at Lord Stirling, where she eventually learned to ride, likes the public/private partnership exemplified by Rocking Horse’s operation at the facility.
“It’s hard to keep this affordable and accessible,” she pointed out.
Somerset County Commissioners Melonie Morano, Sarah Sooy and Lord Stirling task force member Chuck Rosen. (Photo © 2023 by Nancy Jaffer)
“What’s the best way to do it? I think this is a prime example of how we can integrate that and still service our community.”
Geoff said the Friends of Lord Stirling Stable, a support group that was active with the previous operation, will continue to provide a volunteer base.
During the open house, children were lined up to try on helmets so they could be led on pony rides in a tree-shaded paddock.
Diana Alvear of Bridgewater, said her autistic son, Sebastian, 7, has ridden in the past and “really enjoyed it.” When Diana learned about the open house, she jumped at the chance to attend, bringing her son and his sister, 3-year-old Anais.
“We might pursue lessons again,” she mused.
“It’s so lovely to come to the stable and have them ride horses and meet the animals. It’s a great event.”