Equine Training for Veterans at Lord Stilring Stable

The staff at the Somerset County Park Commission Lord Stirling Stable recently welcomed a group of veterans from Valley Brook Village in Lyons, New Jersey to an outing at the facility. The Stable is located at at 256 South Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge.

The nine gentlemen participated in hands-on activities including horse grooming, an interesting and fun exercise that may also have therapeutic value. Research has shown that interacting with horses can be effective therapy to help mitigate PTSD and other psychological conditions. Studies suggest that simply being around horses can initiate and support feelings of calm and well-being.

Three Stable staff and three horses worked with the veterans in 90-minute sessions during which they participated in 4 typical grooming exercises. The group subsequently returned to the Stable on another day to enjoy a hayride, campfire, and hot dog roast.

“Both the veterans and the staff enjoy the visits,” commented Stable Manager Marge Margentino. “It is very obvious that interacting with the horses has a positive influence on the men. We are all proud to be in a position to help these men who have given so much to us.”

Stable staff is also working with MTI Integrated Business Development, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization of “Veterans Helping Veterans,” to teach participants the skills they need to qualify for work in the equine industry. One of the vets has already been hired as a part-time stable worker at Lord Stirling.

Lord Stirling Stable is situated on 450 acres with 18 miles of trails (wooded and fields), one indoor ring, three outdoor rings, and a cross-country jumping course.

For information on the activities and programs at Lord Stirling Stable call 908-788-5955 or visit www.somersetcountyparks.org. For more information on MTI Integrated Business Development, Inc., please visit www.mtinj.org. Valley Brook Village information may be found at www.peabodyproperties.com.