Manes and Tails happenings

    May has been ‘Interactive Vaulting’ month for Manes and Tails at Aroostook Horse and Pony Associates (MT at APHA) in Monticello. Hosts Jan and Mike Martin and ‘Molly,’ one of their Belgian mares, gave Manes and Tails participants the opportunity to engage in this new activity on Wednesday evenings.
    Sara Wotton, Shelley Taylor and Ginger Pryor, all NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) certified instructors, facilitated the events as fund raising for materials to build an arena in Monticello for therapeutic horse activities to take place.
Contributed photo
HORSE LOVERS — The ‘Interactive Vaulting’ crew surrounding ‘Molly’ the horse are, mounted, Grace Gilbertson and Shelley Taylor. From left in front, Sara Wotton, Michaela Pelletier, Olivia Pelletier and Megan Martin. In back are Jaden Gilbertson, Tami Gilbertson and Jan Martin.
    The long-range goal for Manes and Tails is to create the first NARHA certified functioning center in Aroostook County. This will benefit the communities locally, as well as offer trainings for people who want to learn more about horses and therapeutic activities.
    Manes and Tails’ mission is to increase and improve special needs services county-wide through public education, activities and fund-raising for scholarship participants and facilitators. Manes and Tails also has a location in Van Buren that gives support services anywhere a family is most comfortable receiving them. The volunteer organization is not competitive, but networks with stables, agencies and individuals to reach out as much as possible.
    MT at APHA will continue the ‘Meet the Minis’ program, hosted by Dan and Debbie Lavine at their Borderview Farm on the Fletcher Road in Monticello. The program is on Saturday mornings from 10 to noon.
    In June MT at APHA will run ‘Beginning Horsemanship’ on Wednesday evenings.  Requested donations are $5 each or $6 for a family.
    For more information about the Monticello programs please contact either Sara Wotton at 538-0931 or Shelly Taylor at 538-9376. For general Manes and Tails and Van Buren programs contact Nancy Dumond Violette at 868-5324 or visit www.manesandtails.org.
    MT is always looking for volunteer help from handicapped horse sessions and raffle ticket sales to Web mastering.