I have volunteered at East Point Horspice and have seen the difference it makes with disabilities and people in general. They also help accommodate our nursing home residents and got a106 year old on a horse again. They have an independent salad and lift that allows anyone to get on a horse! Highly recommend Horspice and their owners are amazing as well!
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I am amazed at the previous three reviews. Daniels 736--how long did you volunteer?? If you spent any time out there you would see that these horses are very well taken care of. These people work full time average income jobs and then come home and dedicate themselves to those horses. If you thought it was so deplorable why didn't you say something to one of them to "save those poor abused" horses. If what you say is true then you are just as guilty as they are!!! Next AQHA--How long did you volunteer? Same as the above reviewer? Yes every year these people do a fundraiser to raise money for Horspice. Where do you think the food, hay, medical treatment, supplies all that stuff gets paid for from?? Out of their own pockets?? That stuff isn't free! They both work average paying jobs and have 2 kids. They are not using the raised money for their own benefit. Yes there is a big building out there now. It isn't even finished on the inside because they had to borrow money to even put up the building. You should really get your facts straight before writing such a horrible review and jeopardizing future donations to this charity!. Ask any of the parents who have their kids involved in Horspice! It makes a HUGE difference in these kids lives. Maybe if you went out there to volunteer instead of worry about where the money went you might have seen what a great service this is to those kids. And as far as the therapeutic saddle is concerned, they had to do fundraisers for it and they just finished the last fundraiser. Get your facts straight! Once again do you want them to pay for everything out of pocket? And tickledpink---do you know the woman who runs Horspice personally? Or did you meet her one time. I have volunteered at Horspice for 2 years and I work with the man that runs it. When they receive money from United Way or other groups they have to account for what they spent it on! Did you bother to ask either of them what they spend the money on or voice your concern about the "horrible living conditions" for the horses?? No you would rather bash them on a website behind a fake name. Once again, ask any parent who has a child in Horspice. These are repeat kids every year. Their parents and volunteers see what happens and sees the magic with those kids. Shame on all of you for your nasty reviews!!!!
Great program...they recently have added equine assisted sessions! I've learned so much about myself, my coping skills and responses through the horses! I highly recommend Charlene! She is a wealth of knowledge and experience.!
I started volunteering at EPH this summer and am highly impressed. The horses are well-cared for (and many are advanced in years, so caring for these horses requires extra time, money, and effort in order to keep them healthy and fit enough to function as mounts for the program). Brian and Charlene are wonderful people, and Charlene has been helpful in offering tips and training advice with my own horses. I'm a horse owner and have had extensive experience under another trainer, and know what a healthy horses looks like--and all of the horses at EPH are healthy and are in the best possible condition. If something were to happen that I couldn't take care of my horses anymore, I would be perfectly comfortable knowing he went to EPH for the remainder of their days (don't have any plans for that, but if circumstances ever made it impossible for me to care for my own horses, I'd have no problem with them going to EPH). The special saddle has arrived and has been used very successfully, and it has been amazing to see how the summer program has helped the riders gain confidence and build social skills.
It is the complete and utter ridiculousness of people that write things like the first three comments here that make me lose faith in the human race. Then I am honored and blessed to have the opportunity to volunteer at a magical place like EPH in the summer. The people running it are salt of the earth good people. They reach out to people and horses with such love and commitment. They help me to see there is good in the world. The lives they change, both equine and human, are astounding. To see it in action is breath taking! Brian and Charlene know and love each horse as if they were their own children. They know their likes, dislikes, and all their personalities. The kids light up each time they come out to ride. They grow each week and there is a real and tangible connection between them and their horses. I have thought about what to write here about EPH and I couldn’t find the words. They are a very deserving charity that throws all they have and all they are into what they do at EPH. The lies and speculations I read before made me so livid I could hardly put into words how it makes me feel. It’s taken me a few days to stop being mad enough to write a review. I stand 100% behind Brian and Charlene and their amazing horses, clients, and volunteers. My name is Megan M.
My daughter started with EPH this past summer and it was the best experience for her and for myself. Brian and Charlene are wonderful, caring people who go above and beyond to help everyone have an enjoyable and valuable learning experience. They have the nicest horses to work with and obviously spend hours and hours of their time taking care of these beautiful animals. Thank you EPH!!!
I am a volunteer and client of EPH. I have been going out there for three years. Brian and Charlene have not only helped me and my kids in learning about a horse. Ex. Parts of the horse, saddle, how to feel a horse when under saddle and always improving my seat. They have also taught me the proper ways to side walk, lead and dismount when helping in therapy. Charlene has the patience to teach the youngest of kids to the oldest of adults. She knows each and every horse inside and out. She always puts the best horse with the clients that she has. She is so knowledgeable about training both in therapy and in general. She will teach you as much as you personally want to learn. She is so giving to any and everyone. Any committed volunteer would know that this program is designed to help these children and adults to better their lives and bring joy. Every year the same clients come back and every year she gets more and more interest. Thus EPH is doing what it's set out to do. A place where people and horses come together.
It's sad that people feel the need to hurt others in more than one way. Those that don't have a true knowledge of what goes on should really keep it to themselves. Ex. Making 40,000 in donations and tons of money from United way. I think my definition of "tons" is a heck of alot smaller than yours. Maybe you should ask United way if EPH can get that "tons" because that sure would help with the extra feed, medication and much more. Next time you want to hurt someone, you should also have enough guts to say who you are. This is a GREAT program. Brian and Charlene do a wonderful job and are totally committed to each and every horse and person.
I will stand behind and beside my friends and the horses and the program. My name is Kristin P.
Horspice is a great organization that provides a second chance for horses and a first chance for children who need that extra help that a horse can provide. Brian and Charlene are dedicated to helping both the children and the horses in their care. They have proven to be worthy recipients of my donation.
Some of the kiddos I teach participate in this program. The kids are so excited and proud of themselves with all the accomplishments they achieve. The weekly activities are organized and fun. I have toured the facility and each horse is well taken care of. The riders tend to ride the same horse to generate a bond and feel like that is 'their horse'. The energy out there is palpable and contagious!
In the past several years, I have had students involved in this program. What an amazing program! The children and families have all returned each year because of the kindness, love, and benefits bestowed upon the children while participating. The Stephenson's are wonderful people. So kind, caring, and generous - to everyone that is fortunate enough to cross their paths and to the horses! They truly want to do things to help people (and animals!). Not only at their Horspice program but in their everyday lives - to me that is a true testament of a loving spirit. I would highly recommend Horspice to any of my students and would not hesitate to have my own family involved if needed. Alliance is truly blessed to have the Stephenson family!
I'm horrified at the first comments on here.....I have volunteered for many years at the Stephensons and they both care for these horses as part of the family...me and my husband helped build shelters from the money they received from a fund raiser....I have a horse of my own out there and they call me about every little thing to keep me updated on his situation.......we recently moved away from the area and I left my horse in their care because he is so happy there and well cared for......I personally think the person or persons that wrote the negitative comments are very immature and must not have gotten their way about something. It seems to be someone mad at Charleen by the very untrue comments....or they are after attention which they are getting, so let's not spend anymore time one them.......this is a wonderful place to go visit and I'm sure you are all welcome to check it out.......forever grateful!!!!!
My husband and I have been volunteers at East Point Horspice for the last two years. We have never participated in such a wonderful program as East Point! Brian and Charlene are two of the most caring individuals that we have ever met. They put their hearts and souls into the program. The horses are taken care of 24/7. We have 8 horses of our own and know first hand how expensive feed and medical care can be for a large group of horses! The horses at East Point are given wonderful care. In 2013 we boarded our 2 year filly at East Point while she was being trained by Chole H. Beauty was given the best of care and was very well trained by Chole under the direction of Charlene. All horses at East Point are trained by Charlene using the methods such as "Clinton Anderson". These methods are very time consuming but the most loving way that anyone can train a horse. Anyone who works with horses could recognize the time and dedication that Brian and Charlene have to be able to train these rescue horses to be used in the Therapy Riding Program! We have seen first hand the difference that the Therapy Riding Program has in the lives of the riders. Not only are the riders improving their muscle tone, balance, and motor skills, but they are also developing a good self esteem and self confidence! The activities are fun and engaging. As a volunteer, we see the improvement in our riders increase weekly. The kids enjoy this program and are certainly benefiting from their participation. As for the new building, this is NOT for the personal gain of Brian & Charlene. This building is the future home of all of the tack, helmets, props for activities plus a classroom for lessons and a handicap bathroom facility and a vet care area for horses in need. Large Building projects are indeed expensive. We admire Brian & Charlene for taking the first step in a multi-year project. As fund raising efforts have money coming in more of the project will be able to be completed. As for the therapeutic saddle, it was OUR idea that we presented to Charlene after working with a young rider with cerebral palsy. We asked if this saddle would benefit the Therapy Riding Program at East Point and offered to help lead the fundraising efforts. With receiving a local grant, raffle, garage sales, and wagon rides at Harvest Moon Fall Festival in Hemingford the cost of the saddle was met. The saddle HAS been ordered and will arrive before the 2015 Therapy Riding Program begins. We can hardly wait for next year's Therapy Riding Program! We will continue to support and recommend this wonderful program to everyone we meet! Dan & Cheryl L.
I am a volunteer at eastpoint horspice. It is nothing like the horrible things you have suggested it is. They treat those horses like their own children. They are the most dedicated people I know.
My son has just completed his 2nd year of therapy with East Point Horspice. What an amazing experience it has been!! Brian and Charlene are two of the most giving, caring, and supportive people I have ever known. My son has made numerous emotional and social advances through the therapy sessions they have provided. The horses in the program are amazing, and dearly loved and cared for by the owners and the riders. Anyone who would state different has never been a part of or spent anytime around East Point Horspice. Brian, Charlene, the horses, the clients, and the volunteers of East Point Horspice are all like a supportive loving family, as evident from the positive reviews from the Clients Served. It's unfortunate that the anonymous negative reviewer doesn't see that or ever get an opportunity to be a part of something so amazing.
Our son has attended therapy sessions at EPH for the past three years. He loves everything about it and we have had nothing but positive results from the sessions. We are more than blessed to have such a program available in this area! Brian and Charlene are a couple of the nicest, most genuine people we have ever met. They treat everyone like family, and we know they care deeply for the horses that they rescue.
I am shocked that anyone would post a negative review about EPH! Deplorable conditions? Not true. And anyone who knows Brian and Charlene would know they are not in this for the money. This program benefits so many- horses, riders, volunteers, and anyone who has witnessed the results of equine therapy.
My son loves EPH. The benefits from the therapy, at times, are amazing! He is calmer and his attention span is better/longer. Being autistic, my son suffers from poor social skills, hyperactivity and sensory issues, to name a few. Participating in this program has allowed him to improve in all of these areas. The magic between the horse and rider is breathtaking but the magic that includes Brian and Charlene is priceless! EPH is a program that my son will continue to participate in each year and if you have a loved one with special needs, please reach out to Brian and Charlene. Thank you EPH, Charlene and Brian for the extraordinary opportunity you provide!
I have volunteered out at East Point Horspice for 6 years, and I practically grew up there. I had my first riding lesson out there, got my first horse out there, and trained my first filly out there. Shame on all of you who accuse such things about them! They are like family out there and many kids grow up there and are annual riders. The horses are all loved dearly and all the money that is donated is benefiting the horses or riders in one way or another. All who have volunteered out at EPH have seen the growth between both the horses and riders. An anybody who actually knows Charlene and Brian would know the truth about their horse rescue. Charlene is the most dedicated woman I know and she spends all her time out with her horses and others horses. They all have put so much in this and to have those awful reveiws break my heart cause they are nothing but lies. If you would really go out and volunteer and spend the time with all those amazing kids and horses then maybe you would realize what you are jeopardising. And to prove I am not a fake this is Chloe H. and I will stand beside the EPH group.
I am pretty sure the first 3 bad reviews were all written by the same person. I don't know how someone can be so overly critical of a place that all I've ever seen is smiling faces. Brian and Charlene are 2 of the nicest folks I've ever met. Maybe the only mistake they've made is opening up their own personal house for everyone to see and critique. I didn't know they had a new deck! I guess I was more interested in seeing my son light up when he gets to see his old buddy Tex. I would strongly recommend this therapy to anyone that has a child that needs a little extra attention.
My daughter has participant for seven years. I have seen much improvement in the horses and the area. I have seen horses they have rescued improve and in better condition after they cared for them. They take a horse people feel have no purpose and work with and care for that horse so it can be used for therapy helping a child and the horse. My daughter has rode the same horse for seven years and he is better condition since he is in their care. In the beginning my daughter could not go the whole time so they refunded me with out me even asking. They have even sponsor her when I was unable to pay for the therapy. They have always went the extra mile for everyone. Ever year I see how much work they have put in to the area making thing better for the horses. The area is always mowed and clean. The large building is much needed for storing all the supplies used to do therapy. The therapy saddle has been ordered and will be used next year. The changes you will witness from a child doing therapy is amazing ! They are wonderful people and have done so much for my daughter and her horse !
I am very impressed with this program. My grandson has been participating for several years and we have never had a bad experience. He has ridden the same horse from the beginning and his horse actually looks better now than when we first started with the program because of the care he is getting. My grandson will do whatever they ask him to do on his horse such as: riding backwards, side saddle, no hands, shooting hoops, fishing, dancing and the list goes on. He looks forward to going each week and would be lost without the program. Charlene knows each rider and their families personally. She will stop and talk to us where ever she sees us. This has been an awesome program not only for my grandson but for all the participants, this program has been invaluable to a lot of families. All the families stay each week and if there was abuse going on I think we would know.
My grandson has been a participant of East Point Horspice for 4 years. His experience has been very positive. He has been faced with situations beyond his control during this time & his therapy lessons have always been something he looks forward to. We have seen agreat deal of Iimprovement in his abilities on his horse Tex. I have personally known Brian for over 20 years. I do not know Charlene as well but I can asure these are people that " What you see is what you get" They are truly what I would consider " Salt of the earth people" My family is very thankful for the experience that Alex has had at East Point Horspice.
I was a volunteer for east point horspice. I am saddened so see how bad the living conditions have become for the horses they claim to rescue. Every year this organization does an annual fund raiser to help raise money for the care of neglected and unwanted horses an I have yet to see any of the profits/donations go to the well being of the animals. They have resided their house and bought a brand new deck for their house. They also just put up what looks like a very expensive large building that they claim is a volunteer center but really it's just an over sized garage for them to park their vehicles and other personal items in. This is truly very sad to see generosity from the community spent on something that will benefit them personally. They told everyone the money was suppose to go towards a therapeutic saddle but clearly it did not. I will no longer volunteer with this organization.