Pal-O-Mine Equestrian Invites Community To Meet The Horses At Family Festival

ISLANDIA, NY — Families will have the chance to get an up-close look at the horses and animals of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian during the nonprofit’s upcoming “The Mane Event” celebration.

The community event will be held on June 19, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, located at 829 Old Nichols Road in Islandia. The festival coincides with the school holiday honoring Juneteenth and invites guests of all ages to explore the organization’s 13-acre horse farm.

The Mane Event will feature a parade showcasing Pal-O-Mine’s different breeds of horses, riding demonstrations, interactive games, horse-themed art activities and educational stations. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet the farm’s other animals, including sheep, donkeys and chickens.

“Our herd of 25 horses, eight miniature horses and other small animals love when we open the farm to the families in our backyards and beyond,” Lisa A. Gatti, founder and CEO of Pal-O-Mine Equestrian, said. “Most people only see horses at a distance from their car windows, so it’s very exciting when they can meet them up close. They are truly magnificent animals.”

Pal-O-Mine Equestrian was founded in 1995 as a therapeutic horseback riding program and now provides equine-assisted programs for children and adults with disabilities, veterans, first responders, trauma survivors, people on the autism spectrum and others.

More than 400 students participate each week in programs at the Islandia campus, which is home to 25 specially trained horses, small farm animals and a therapeutic horticulture program that serves as a vocational internship site for people with disabilities.

Tickets for The Mane Event are $20 per person and will be available at the gate. Children 3 and under are free. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase.

Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can contact Tessa at 631-887-3751.

More information about Pal-O-Mine Equestrian is available at Pal-O-Mine.org.