Welcome
Great and Small is a private, non-profit community based program, founded in 1998, that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons to persons with a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. We serve students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsey, Multiple Sclerosis, and Mental Retardation among other challenges. But perhaps the most pervasive disability among Great and Small students is lack of opportunity. Our aim is to provide this opportunity to those with disabilities and to empower our students to learn the art of riding in harmony with their specific needs. The movement of the horse is a natural strengthening agent for people with problems in balance, and with impairments in the trunk and lower extremities. Learning to ride also instills confidence, a sense of accomplishment and is a whole lot of fun.
We are a partner with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the Rickman Farm Horse Park in Boyds, Maryland. Our students come from both the Montgomery County Public Schools as well as from the local community at large. We are a partner with Montgomery County's Child Welfare Services, offering our program free of change to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Great and Small also manages a small horse rescue program, adopting suitable horses and ponies into the program, some of whom have themselves come from neglectful homes, or who need a safe and gentle retirement. Great and Small is proud to serve as a Student Service Learning Site for the Montgomery County Public Schools.
Whether providing equine assisted therapies, introducing students and members of the public to horsemanship, or while adopting and caring for our horses, Great and Small believes that the essential qualities of power and sensitivity embodied in the horse can strengthen and empower persons of all abilities. Great and Small is a 501(c)3 corporation, and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
We are a partner with the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission at the Rickman Farm Horse Park in Boyds, Maryland. Our students come from both the Montgomery County Public Schools as well as from the local community at large. We are a partner with Montgomery County's Child Welfare Services, offering our program free of change to children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Great and Small also manages a small horse rescue program, adopting suitable horses and ponies into the program, some of whom have themselves come from neglectful homes, or who need a safe and gentle retirement. Great and Small is proud to serve as a Student Service Learning Site for the Montgomery County Public Schools.
Whether providing equine assisted therapies, introducing students and members of the public to horsemanship, or while adopting and caring for our horses, Great and Small believes that the essential qualities of power and sensitivity embodied in the horse can strengthen and empower persons of all abilities. Great and Small is a 501(c)3 corporation, and all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
MNCPPC
A Public/Private Partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC)
Great and Small is very fortunate to have the use of the Rickman Farm Horse Park, a property donated to MNCPPC in 1997 by William Rickman, Sr. This partnership, begun in 2004, has made possible a significant increase in the services we are able to provide our riders and horses. We are grateful to our MNCPPC partners who share our commitment to providing therapeutic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and to preserving open space in Montgomery County for all to enjoy.
Great and Small is very fortunate to have the use of the Rickman Farm Horse Park, a property donated to MNCPPC in 1997 by William Rickman, Sr. This partnership, begun in 2004, has made possible a significant increase in the services we are able to provide our riders and horses. We are grateful to our MNCPPC partners who share our commitment to providing therapeutic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and to preserving open space in Montgomery County for all to enjoy.
Helping People
Just Horsin' Around
Great and Small strives to improve the physical, emotional and mental well-being of our riders through therapeutic riding lessons addressing the needs, disabilities and abilities of each student. Each riding lesson is planned on an individual basis but we are also committed to teaching our students solid horsemanship skills as well. For children and adults with physical or cognitive disabilities, mastering the skills of horsemanship improves balance, coordination, reflexes, motor skills and auditory processing. It also requires determination, patience, personal courage, empathy and creative problem-solving skills. For all of our riders, the sense of achievement that comes from learning to ride can translate into feelings of joy and self-confidence we hope will stay with them in all other areas of their lives.
Helping Horses
Great and Small adopts suitable horses and ponies into the therapeutic riding program, who need a gentle home retirement, or whose futures are uncertain due to age or infirmity. These animals may no longer be great athletes, but are still magic to our students learning to ride and care for them. There are more than 82,000 horses in Maryland, and many fall short of theirowners’ expectations, sustain career-ending injuries, or simply become too old for hard work. Great and Small pairs these deserving animals with riders who benefit from the sense of comfort and connection the horses can provide. As a way to further acknowledge our debt to the horse, Great and Small also manages a small horse rescue program. Since moving our program to the Rickman Farm Horse Park in 2004, we have been able to take in over a dozen injured and neglected horses, almost all race horses, often abandoned after years of unstinting service.
Helping People
Great and Small teaches private and small group lessons at our farm in Boyds, MD. We also serve the special needs classes of several Montgomery County middle and high schools, and provide many of our lessons at no or low-cost to those who would otherwise be unable to participate. In addition, to individualized riding instruction, we are also very lucky to have the Great Falls Vaulters in residence, who have been so generous in teaching the sport of vaulting to some of our students. Commonly described as "gymnastics on horseback", vaulting promotes balance, strength and confidence for riders of all abilities and ages, and is really, really fun.
Helping Horses
Great and Small adopts suitable horses and ponies into the therapeutic riding program, who need a gentle home retirement, or whose futures are uncertain due to age or infirmity. These animals may no longer be great athletes, but are still magic to our students learning to ride and care for them. There are more than 82,000 horses in Maryland, and many fall short of theirowners’ expectations, sustain career-ending injuries, or simply become too old for hard work. Great and Small pairs these deserving animals with riders who benefit from the sense of comfort and connection the horses can provide. As a way to further acknowledge our debt to the horse, Great and Small also manages a small horse rescue program. Since moving our program to the Rickman Farm Horse Park in 2004, we have been able to take in over a dozen injured and neglected horses, almost all race horses, often abandoned after years of unstinting service.
Helping People
Great and Small teaches private and small group lessons at our farm in Boyds, MD. We also serve the special needs classes of several Montgomery County middle and high schools, and provide many of our lessons at no or low-cost to those who would otherwise be unable to participate. In addition, to individualized riding instruction, we are also very lucky to have the Great Falls Vaulters in residence, who have been so generous in teaching the sport of vaulting to some of our students. Commonly described as "gymnastics on horseback", vaulting promotes balance, strength and confidence for riders of all abilities and ages, and is really, really fun.