FIELD OF DREAMS — Magical Meadows Executive Director Carl Adams stands with a few friends, including Magic, right. Magical Meadows recently completed its “Field of Dreams” campaign, raising $160,000 to purchase 36 additional acres — seen in background — which will provide hay, trails, and, eventually, a cabin Adams hopes will be used by veterans and others for overnight stays. Currently, the facility includes an activities center, an indoor riding arena as well as a large outdoor riding ring. (Photo by David Hazledine)

WARSAW— Magical Meadows, a therapeutic horseback riding facility outside of Warsaw, is one of those places which must be seen to be believed. And as it looks forward to its 10-year anniversary celebration, the facility at 3386 E. 525N may soon reach many more of the 5,000 special needs residents in Kosciusko County.

Recently, the K21 Foundation joined an ever-growing group of believers when it provided Magical Meadows with a matching grant of $80,000. The Field of Dreams campaign raised $160,000 to purchase an additional 36 acres of land, which will be used to grow hay — saving the ranch up to $40,000 per year — and provide expanded trail riding opportunities.

“Once they come out and see what’s happening, they’re sold,” said Carl Adams, Magical Meadows executive director.
On a daily basis, Adams and Tammy Stackhouse, Magical Meadows founder, see the benefits reaped not only by the approximately 100 regular riders, but their families as well.

“To see children who never walked say they feel like they are flying … or the mother of a child in a wheelchair for 15 years who is now riding a horse … that’s what they need to see. These are miracles to us, and it happens all the time here,” Adams emphasized.

For Stackhouse, the challenge from the beginning has been to dispel the notion they are merely offering a “pony ride.”

Horseback riding therapy has been widely researched and accepted by the medical establishment. In fact, Magical Meadows is now working with every school in Kosciusko County, offering six and nine week courses.
The movement of a horse mimics those of a human, encouraging muscle engagement, balance and hand-eye coordination.

Additionally, said Stackhouse, “it builds confidence and improves self-esteem to be able to control a 1,200-pound animal, when they may not be able to tie their own shoes.”

There are also benefits for those with vocal or speech impairments. “Walk on” is a key phrase at Magical Meadows, with a number of connotations, and it, or a horse’s name, has been among some riders’ first words, along with exclamations of delight.

Skylar Payton has cerebral palsy and has been riding for seven years. When she is unable to attend therapy the regression is noticeable in a number of ways. “Riding strengthens the core muscles, which also helps with breathing, talking and voice control,” her mother, Samantha Payton, explained. “She loses volume control and clarity.”

Magical Meadows is also a vital resource for the riders’ families, who may sometimes feel isolated. “They come out here and talk amongst themselves,” said Stackhouse, and Adams, an ordained minister, often receives calls from parents who simply need a sympathetic ear.

Ted Grubbs is a veteran of the war in both Iraq and Afghanistan who has been integral to the Warriors Mount Up program at Magical Meadows.

Animal therapy has also been shown to be beneficial for those suffering post traumatic stress syndrome, particularly military veterans. Magical Meadows has several veterans who find solace there in the Warriors Mount Up program, and one of the plans for the additional land is to build a cabin, where veterans and family members can stay overnight. Stackhouse sees veterans as vital to the trailblazing activities set to begin in August.

However, it is difficult for PTSD sufferers to engage with the outside world, and getting them to Meadows is a challenge Stackhouse, Adams and others continually face.

As Adams observed, “You can’t reach 5,000 by being a secret.”

For more information go online to www.themagicalmeadows.org.