"Horse and Rider Connection has helped so many kids over the years. We are all so fortunate to have people like Debbie in our lives. " Aaron

"Debbie - We are so grateful for the time and effort you have put into working with us. I know that these young men and women really look forward to coming to the farm. The life skills that you teach them, from doing the daily chores to riding and grooming the horses are invaluable. It makes me very happy to see how excited the youth get when they form a bond with the horses. There is truly a calming effect being at the farm and getting away from the city. THANK YOU!" Sarah D., MaineStay Staff

 
         My 7 year old son had become distant and quiet.  Going through a tough custody battle was taking a toll on myself and him. Our relationship had changed, he was pushing further and further away.  My father came to me one afternoon and said that he had been talking with one of his hay customers and that horse therapy could be beneficial to my son. He gave me Debby Little's number. I texted her and later that week we went to HARC. While my husband and I where talking with Deb, I noticed my son talking and patting one of the horses, and so began our journey with HARC.
    It was amazing to sit and watch my son connect with the horses, be confident and proud  of the work he was doing with them. I began to notice my  boy coming back slowly. Within a couple of months he was back to his happy, sweet, talkative self.
        My older son also began spending time at HARC and really enjoyed his time with the horses. My 4 year old daughter and I would watch the boys work with the horses, before I knew it she knew every horse in the barn at HARC. The kids began to ask if we could have horses at home. So my husband and I began talking with Deb about the idea. HARC showed us what to look for before bringing a horse home. The kids all began learning the responsibility that comes with owning a horse. Not to long after we brought our first horse home.
        HARC not only helped my children but has also helped me. I met the most amazing horse at HARC; she was a rescue that was not trained. I began working with her and Deb. While Deb was teaching me to train this horse, I noticed rather quickly that I was in need of training also. Deb had to tell me to take a deep breath and relax over and over. I began using the deep breaths and relaxing at work and at home with the kids. Deb asked me over and over if I wanted to take on a 4 year old horse. I adopted this horse and HARC is still helping me train her.
        HARC has helped my family become closer and work together. We now have 4 horses at home. HARC continues to work with all of us. We have all gained confidence and team work skills. 

"Dear Debbie - The first time someone told me about the horse farm I got really excited to ride a horse. I have heard before that you can create one of the most wonderful bonds with a horse. A horse name Dreamy created that bond with me. When I got there I thought it would be Stitch, but it all changed when I met Dreamy. She's a lot like me: active and excited with a strong personality. When I first went out back with the horses, I could tell I was earning the respect the way they acknowledged me, especially when I was watching Dreamy that first and second day. When I'm with Dreamy it's like being away from all my problems. I feel free without any worries. I connected so easily and I sense she loved it,
and she is an amazing horse. I'm really happy I met both of you. Thank you so much". -  Josh

 
 
I would like everyone to know what Horse And Rider Connection has done for my grandchildren. They have been going to a counselor for a few years and never see much change in them. They would talk to the counselor but they were careful of what they said. I heard about Deb and what she was doing. I stopped over to see her and what she really does. What I have been told was 100% right. So I went home to talk to there mother about the program, she got a smile on her face and said lets talk to the boys. So we all sat down to talk about it and the look on the boys faces was something we don’t see very often. I call Deb Little up to see what we have to do. She set up two one hour sessions. I was just amazed what happened on the first visit. There mother picked them up and that’s all they talked bout on the ride home, and how much they looked forward to going again. They went to summer camp and had an over whelming time. They learned how to care for horses, ride horses and even talk to horses and tell horses there problems, that they didn’t want to tell anyone else. So the moral of the story is that this program needs to be brought to more peoples attention. This program didn’t only help the kids it helped there mother and me tremendously.  Now Deb comes to our house weekly for the kids cause we have adopted 4 horses now. I think that this program needs to find a way to have some financing and advertisement. This should be one of the higher programs on helping troubled children. 
 
Thank you, Deb Little, HARC