How a Moore County horse farm tour will benefit veterans and people with disabilities

Rachael Riley, Fayetteville Observer
·2 min read

Moore County horse farms will be on display this month to benefit a nonprofit organization that has brought therapeutic horse riding to people with disabilities and veterans in the area for more than 40 years.

The Oct. 15 self-guided tour is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, said Judy Lewis, event organizer and past executive director for the center.

“You name it, I’ve seen it,” she said. “I’ve seen a child who’s never spoken before say, 'Walk,' to make a horse go and talk to the horse,” she said.

Four-year-old Katy kisses a horse in March 2016 at Prancing Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. The nonprofit, which provides therapy for special needs children and adults in the Sandhills area, is hosting a fundraiser this month that offers tours of Moore County horse farms and homes.
Four-year-old Katy kisses a horse in March 2016 at Prancing Horse Therapeutic Riding Center. The nonprofit, which provides therapy for special needs children and adults in the Sandhills area, is hosting a fundraiser this month that offers tours of Moore County horse farms and homes.

The 30-acre Prancing Horse Center in Hoffman provides therapeutic horse riding and other activities to people with special needs and a doctor’s note, Lewis said.

She said therapeutic horse riding helps strengthen the core for individuals who struggle with their gait or those who have difficulties with motor skills, Lewis said. The nonprofit also offers a free horsemanship program for veterans called Freedom Reins, in partnership with Wounded Warrior.

“We serve people ages 4 to adult and were originally founded as a therapeutic riding center for individuals with special needs,” Lewis said. “The mission is to enhance the lives of individuals by providing a safe environment for therapeutic horsemanship.”

Bucky Johnson rides Charlie, and Angela rides Dixie a Haflinger pony at Prancing Horse Inc. Center for Therapeutic Riding with help from volunteers Brab Brazer, second from right, and Chris Nazario, far right in April 2015.
Bucky Johnson rides Charlie, and Angela rides Dixie a Haflinger pony at Prancing Horse Inc. Center for Therapeutic Riding with help from volunteers Brab Brazer, second from right, and Chris Nazario, far right in April 2015.

Horse farm tours

Touted as the “mane” event of the season, the horse farm tour offers people a chance to peek inside some of Moore County’s homes and farms while proceeds will assist with the center's mission and maintenance.

The tour is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15, with lunch available for purchase at one of the farms.

Advance tickets are $25. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $30.

There is no cost for children 12 and younger.

Patrons will not know the farm locations until the day of the tour, she said.

They will need to look for the Prancing Horse Center tent at 6045 U.S. Highway 1 in Southern Pines.

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What to expect

Lewis said five farms are participating in the tour, with two having demonstrations that include miniature, medium and mammoth-sized donkeys.

This year’s tour includes horsemanship demonstrations from equestrians Linda Hoover, Diane McKay, Christine Boucher Reynolds and Bernadette Deerkoski.

“We will have some demonstrations, some fabulous barns, some barn apartments that have been newly remodeled, and some houses are also open on the tour,” Lewis said.

Advanced tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Prancing Horse Center Horse Farm Tour in Moore County next weekend