Chastain Horse Park Healing through Horses

Our mission is to empower
individuals of all abilities
through life-changing
relationships with horses.

Empowering Individuals of All Abilities Through
Life-Changing Relationships with Horses
The Chastain Horse Park (CHP) property has been
part of the Atlanta community for nearly 90 years
and is one of the last remaining urban horse barns in
the United States. The original stables were built as
part of the Chastain Park plan in 1939 to offer riding
lessons and horse boarding for residents while also
serving as a popular destination for horse shows.
After years of disrepair, a plan was undertaken to
rebuild the horse park in the late 1990s. The vision
was to create an acclaimed, inclusive equestrian
center for individuals of all abilities operating as a
501(c)(3) charitable organization. In 1998, Atlanta
Mayor Bill Campbell signed off on a long-term lease
for the property to be privately operated by Chastain
Horse Park.
Today, Chastain Horse Park empowers individuals
of all abilities through life-changing relationships
with horses and is home to the only Professional
Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship
International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited center
in Metro Atlanta. They offer therapeutic programming
to children, teens and adults with physical, cognitive
and emotional disabilities residing throughout Georgia
with the support of a herd of very special horses in an
urban Atlanta city park setting.
In 2019, Chastain Horse Park conducted more than
5,300 therapeutic program sessions requiring the
support of at least 1,250 volunteer hours monthly.
Individuals with a broad range of diagnoses and their
families thrive with their programming. Many refer
to their challenging work at the horse park as “the
highlight of my week!”
Achieving the status of PATH Intl. “Premier
Accredited Center” indicates Chastain Horse
Park’s adherence to the highest standards of safety
and professionalism in their industry. They offer
several therapeutic programming services including
Hippotherapy, Therapeutic Riding and Outreach/
Community Engagement to meet a variety of needs of
the Georgia community.
“Journey is now responding to her name and
follows simple commands. In addition, her
balance and coordination has improved.
We are currently working on her sensory
integration and believe the riding directly
impacts her impulsiveness and sensory
seeking behavior.”
Delores, Mom of Journey, age 9; chromosome 15q duplication,
developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder
2

The Magic is in
the Programs
Chastain Horse Park offers Therapeutic Riding,
Hippotherapy, Outreach Programming, and a
community lesson and boarder program. Therapeutic
Riding uses equine-assisted activities to improve the
cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of
people with a wide array of disabilities while learning
horsemanship skills. The benefits include a greater ability
to focus, improve verbal and motor skills, strengthen
muscle tone, manage sequential tasks, build life skills and
self-confidence.
Hippotherapy is an intensive therapy strategy prescribed
by a physician and conducted by a licensed physical,
occupational or speech language pathologist that uses the
horse’s movement as part of a comprehensive approach
to achieving functional outcomes in client care.
Through Outreach programming, Chastain Horse Park
serves at-risk youth and adults by teaching cognitive
and functional life-skills via experiential learning. They
offer a non-judgmental environment and a chance to be
exposed to horses, horsemanship, and all the benefits
provided by such experiences.
Chastain Horse Park
Outreach Program
Partners
Atlanta Public Schools
Agape
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Hi-Hope Service Center
Girl Scouts
Just People
Gigi’s Playhouse
Marcus Autism Center
Wellspring Living
City of Atlanta, Parks &
Recreation, Coan Park,
summer camp
“Camp Best Friends”
Shepherd Center
Fulton County Public Library
Finally, Chastain Horse Park offers lessons to the general
Atlanta community and boarding to individuals that own
or lease a horse. The focus is on teaching the principals of
hunters, equitation and jumpers. Through time and hard
work, therapeutic participants may develop skill sets and
abilities allowing them to advance to the lesson program
and even the boarding program
3

Our Vision:
Doubling the Impact
Due to the high demand for services and the substantial
scheduling and space constraints, Chastain Horse Park
has embarked on a bold vision to double the number of
equine-assisted sessions that they currently offer each year.
With this goal in mind, Chastain Horse Park is seeking $5.6
million from the philanthropic community to construct
a Therapeutic Horsemanship Center, an additional arena
dedicated to therapeutic programming and doubling the
amount of outdoor spaces (paddocks) for their horses.
Highlights of Therapeutic
Horsemanship Center include:
• Indoor clinical classroom spaces for
therapeutic services
• Volunteer lounge serving 1,250+
volunteers monthly
• Conditioned spaces for staff
• Accommodations for 40 horses
• Accessible entrances and pathways
The new facilities will be constructed in 2 stages as
it is mandatory to continue current programming
without disruption. This investment will allow Chastain
Horse Park to increase its programmatic activities and
scholarship dollars to be able to meet the goal of doubling
the impact of their therapeutic program.
“Marla’s participation in CHP’s therapeutic program has
been life changing. Marla was diagnosed with Asperger’s
syndrome, low muscle tone, anxiety and sensory processing
issues. She has trouble completing tasks related to school,
daily living and social activities. Prior to the program, Marla
struggled with independence, confidence and major anxiety.
Since participating, Marla is blossoming. She is happy and
less anxious. She looks forward to riding each week.”
Barbara, mom of Marla, age 12; arthralgia, sensory integration disorder
4

Horses as Heroes
The powerful work of Chastain Horse Park is dependent
on the physical and mental health of every horse. Each
horse undergoes formal and comprehensive evaluation and
training before being accepted into the program. The horses
have a unique job of offering safety and stability to each
rider when life feels shaky and, thus, the job of therapeutic
horses is mentally and physically taxing.
Outdoor spaces give the horses a break from being in
an enclosed stall and allow them to socialize, release
excess energy and be in a natural setting. This is critically
important to the health of the horses and the safety of
the participants. Their plan involves creating several
new paddocks with proper footing, fencing and drainage,
ensuring a safe, clean and dry outdoor area.
5

Capital Needs Goal:
$5.6 million
Doubling the impact of our therapeutic program
The current Chastain Horse Park facilities were not originally designed or constructed to meet the needs of
current commercial operations and therefore limit the organization’s ability to scale the business. Existing
structures have neared the end of their life expectancies and new structures must be built or significant and costly
repairs must take place. Additionally, the current utilization of scarce flat land does not provide for enough outdoor
space for their most valuable partners: the horses.
Paramount to smart growth is recognizing that as Chastain Horse Park grows, the need for critical supporting
resources rises accordingly. Having more clients requires a correlating number of volunteers and overall operating
funds. In addition, many Chastain Horse Park client sessions are paid by a scholarship fund that is also in high
demand. This capital campaign will fund an increase in Chastain Horse Park’s scholarship fund ensuring that the
qualifying families will have access to this resource regardless of their financial circumstances. Funds from this
campaign will also provide three years of tapered operating funds associated with expanded programming.
SUMMARY CAMPAIGN BUDGET
Construction Costs for New Barns
$4,616,019
Therapeutic Programming/Support
and Scholarship
$500,000
Non-Construction Expenses/
Landscaping and Barn Supplies
$50,000
Campaign Expenses
$60,000
Design, Permits and Architect Fees
$184,400
Project and Development
Contingency
$369,282
TOTAL USE OF FUNDS
$5,595,301
6

“Wellspring Living understands the value and impact of integrating
experiential therapies such as Equine Therapy into a consistent and
trauma-informed mental and behavioral health care services.”
Ms. Lauren R. Pierre, NCC, LPC, MAC, CPCS
Wellspring Living Women’s Residential Therapist
Space for Teaching and Community
Imagine a Therapeutic Horsemanship Center (THC)
with a bright, colorful, temperature-controlled
classroom including white-boards and visuals where
participants and at-risk youth learn about anatomy,
grooming and equine health. They walk right out to the
barn to apply their new knowledge with real horses.
This is where life-skills are honed.
The THC will have special areas so that the business of
therapy can continue even on inclement weather days
or when unmounted therapy is the best strategy. This is
critically important for those individuals who struggle
to regulate body temperature due to their diagnosis.
This room will be equipped for sensory and movement
activities. The occupational and physical therapists will
conduct supplemental work here to meet their goal of
offering comprehensive therapeutic services for clients.
Space for Empowering
A new arena dedicated to therapeutic programming
creates space desperately needed to meet the demand
for services and will be critical to reaching Chastain
Horse Park’s goal of doubling program capacity.
Additionally, the arena will create opportunities for
clients to develop new skills that have life-changing
verbal, behavioral or physical impacts.
Space for Leading
Chastain Horse Park intends to leverage its expertise
and impact to become a recognized thought leader in
the areas of therapeutic horsemanship and inclusive
programming. Additionally, it intends to utilize the
new THC as a “convening space.” Chastain Horse Park
staff can use the space to meet and collaborate with
other PATH Intl. organizations in the United States to
discuss the latest research and best practices in equineassisted
activities and therapies. This will provide
opportunities for learning from renowned experts and
training new instructors.
Space for Business
The right space goes a long way. Currently, the
Chastain Horse Park program director, volunteer
coordinator and other staff work at desks squeezed
together in a barn stall. Attracting and retaining the
best professionals in the industry requires offering
access to a simple office space. Staff would then be
able to conduct business more efficiently, leading the
program through the next stage of growth.
Space for Community
Chastain Horse Park’s vision includes a new
community barn. Since the 1990’s, it’s mission has been
to provide equestrian programming for riders of all
abilities. The community barn will serve the purpose of
offering boarding and lessons for anyone in the greater
Atlanta area interested in learning the equestrian sport.
Earned income and donations received from boarders
and lesson riders go towards subsidizing costs of the
therapeutic program. In addition, many of the families
in the community barn also donate financial resources
and personal time through volunteering regularly.
7

Alexander’s
Story
“If a nine year old child
with disabilities can
learn how to control a
large, powerful animal
while navigating an
arena of riders and
horses, what can’t he
do in life?”
Alexander’s mom
Alexander Simmons came into the world at just twenty-six weeks old. Today
he is nine. Alexander has cerebral palsy as well as orthopedic and sensory
impairments. Although he continues to be challenged with a myriad of
health issues, everything started coming together three years ago. That is
when Alexander began participating in the Therapeutic Riding Program
at Chastain Horse Park. Today, Alexander exudes confidence and has
shattered goals set by his speech, occupational and physical therapists. He
has surprised his neurologist and neonatologist in ways they never could
have expected.
Because of his commitment to therapeutic riding, Alexander has defied all
odds. His mounted sessions on a therapy horse has improved his muscle
strength, agility, and balance which has helped him in other physical areas
requiring gross motor skills. For example, he has learned swim strokes
in the pool and now runs with more fluidity. Learning to use his reins
has improved his fine motor skills and dexterity which is reflected in his
newfound enthusiasm for writing, especially about horses! The lessons he
has learned in the arena also carry over to everyday life. For Alexander,
following step by step instructions and using self-control to drive every
movement of a 1,200 pound horse is more than empowering. It is life
changing.
His Mom attributes his improved self-assurance and physical strength
to therapeutic riding at Chastain Horse Park. “If a nine year old child
with disabilities can learn how to control a large, powerful animal while
navigating an arena of riders and horses, what can’t he do in life?”

20%
of Americans between the ages of 16
and 64 suffer from some sort of physical,
mental or emotional impairment.
1 million
children
CONSIDER THESE STATISTICS:
in the US with Autism
Spectrum Disorder will age into
adulthood in the next decade.
Georgia has
a significantly
larger percentage
of individuals with
functional disabilities
(mobility, cognition,
independent living, vision
and self-care) than the
national average across all
segments.
1 in 26
American families
reports raising children
with a disability.
1 in 68
Autism Spectrum
Disorder affects 1 in
every 68 children
5,327
The number of therapeutic
sessions Chastain Horse
Park delivered in 2018. A 16%
increase over 2017.
10,000
+27%
The
prevalence
of children
diagnosed with
a developmental
delay, other than
Autism, increased by
27% between 2014
and 2016.
The potential number of therapeutic sessions
Chastain Horse Park could deliver after receiving
funding from a capital campaign.*
*There is a demonstrated and continually
growing demand for much more and the current
facilities prohibit Chastain Horse Park from
meeting this demand. Funding through a capital
campaign will fuel smart growth resulting in
approximately 10,000 sessions a year.
1