Greeting from Our Snowy Farm!

What a cold, long winter we've had! Still... I am smiling, and my heart is full as I write this newsletter to you! I love my life here on the farm.

The joy of welcoming so many wonderful visitors eager to learn, along with the presence of beautiful horses, dogs, and barn cats, as well as our flock of hens and the magnificent wild birds, brings delight to my soul. This time of year gives me the delicious opportunity to reflect on the past year and dream of an exciting future for all of us.

Above all, it fills me with gratitude for your friendship and the special moments we have shared over the years here on this land with our animals. I feel truly blessed.

Fantastic Guests!

What a wonderful winter season we have enjoyed! Despite the cold and ice, the Lodge has remained warm and inviting. We have welcomed a steady stream of wonderful guests who have enjoyed all that the farm has to offer. Smiles abound, and delicious food is plentiful. The entire farm is alive with possibilities and connections.

Community has become a central theme among all our diverse groups of guests. We have been delighted to host crafters, corporate leaders, college graduates, church groups, families, wellness retreat participants, and nonprofit meetings. It has been a joy to meet people from all corners of the world and share with them the delights of the farm.

With farm-fresh eggs, a crackling fire in the hearth, a comfortable bed, and friends gathered around; our guests truly savor their stay. Hospitality suits me perfectly!

So Proud of Our Team & 5 Star Rating!

We are fortunate to have an incredible team dedicated to organizing and maintaining our animals, buildings, and grounds. This team ensures that our guests find a welcoming, comfortable, and safe place to relax.

Our Wisdom Horse Team, alongside co-facilitator Coeni Van Beek and his wonderful wife Monique, as well as our Lead Horse Handlers and Safety Support Horse Handlers, is truly exceptional.

Equally impressive is our Barn Team, which cares for our Wisdom Horse equines and wonderful boarders. Despite the challenges posed by winter's snow and ice, everyone consistently shows up and goes above and beyond!

Under the leadership of Barn Manager Alleigh Lapinsky, team members Annabelle Stewart, Emma Carpenter, Alex Charlton, and Lucas Nevrla provide exceptional care for the horses.

Our HOUSEKEEPING TEAM of Fran, Marie, and Eddie; along with our MAINTENANCE CREW, consisting of Bill Haas, Tere Anderson, Kayden Graham, and Jonathan Crotte, demonstrate dedication and ingenuity in keeping everything in top shape for our guests.

Our OFFICE CREW, including Jamie Clark as our Bookkeeper, Keith Charlton as our IT Specialist, and Jessica Graham as our new Social Media Manager, plays a crucial role in making the farm sustainable and successful.

We owe our 5-star ratings on Airbnb and VRBO to the hard work and commitment of these wonderful team members. I am proud to work alongside each of you.

Wisdom Horse has been in development since February 2023. I took a fascinating 6-month course that culminated in a weeklong in-person Capstone Certification Program in Texas with the Equine Experiential Education Association, better known as E3A. 

E3A is one of the leading international organizations that trains and certifies facilitators to work with horses of all sizes, enhancing personal wellness, strengthening corporate leadership, and improving teamwork.

Our Wisdom Horse team has dedicated significant hours to refining our offerings for corporate and wellness clients. We are collaborating with talented caterers to deliver exceptional food. Additionally, we have worked with five horses, preparing them for this unique, unmounted experience with humans. We have enhanced the indoor arena with heaters, comfortable seating, a classroom setting, and appropriate safety barriers for our clients. Most importantly, our team of facilitators and coaches is fully prepared, bringing a wealth of experience and certifications to the team table.

We have conducted several significant Wisdom Horse demonstrations, attended by up to 15 participants.

It is thrilling to introduce people to the transformative power of horses. They are remarkable mirrors that reflect our mind, body, and soul; providing profound feedback on how we present ourselves to the world. Through effective debriefing sessions, meaningful change and growth can occur.

To learn more,

visit the Wisdom Horse

section of our website at

SteppingStonesFarm.com

We are thrilled to partner with the SBDC here in the Monadnock Region.

Andrea O’Brien and Victor Horodincu have provided invaluable support and guidance to help me successfully lead our small business. Through their assistance with business and sustainability planning, marketing, communications, and practical advice, this dynamic duo has significantly enhanced my business acumen. 

We were very excited and honored to learn that we have been selected as one of their featured successful businesses in New Hampshire that will be showcased at a major gathering of SBDC representatives in Washington, DC, this spring. We feel proud and grateful for their generosity, the wealth of information, and their friendship!

Sue Rogers, our favorite driving instructor and friend to all driving enthusiasts, will return to Stepping Stones for three driving weekends in 2025.

We are thrilled to welcome her back this year, as she brings positivity to drivers of all levels. Her radiant smile and decades of experience ensure that harnesses are fitted correctly and that carriages are hooked up just right. Sue excels at demonstrating proper reinsmanship while teaching us to become kinder, more accurate drivers, making her an exceptional clinician.

April 4, 5, 6, we will kick off the season with a "Get Your Horse Out of Mothballs".

With our spacious indoor arena, we'll assist drivers in re-engaging with their horses after a long snowy winter. With Sue as our instructor and many helpful hands-on deck, we will ensure that everyone feels safe and successful.

On the weekend of May 30-June 1, we will offer an "Introduction to Arena Driving Trials".

This session will cover "Everything You Wanted to Know about ADTs but Were Afraid to Ask!"

Saturday, participants will have the opportunity to drive a Dressage Test, navigate a Cones Course, and tackle an Obstacle Course, with video recording available for the dressage and cones segments.

Sunday, we will host a Schooling ADT featuring two divisions for clinic participants and outside entries.

To conclude our year, on September 5-7, we’ll have a "Fun & Friendly Weekend of Driving Competition".

This event will include games, a Dressage Test, a Cones Course, and a delightful drive through the countryside. We will offer both serious and lighthearted prizes for the "Most Participation", "Most Improved Driver," and "Best Combined Driver."

See our website for all the details and join us!

As individuals seek community and connection, we are excited to present an outstanding lineup of retreats hosted by remarkable retreat organizers right here at the farm.

Returning to our roots at the Sign of the Dove Retreat Center, established in 1975, we will welcome a diverse array of retreats.

Let these Retreat Facilitators speak for themselves. Treat yourself to an enriching getaway that promotes learning and personal growth.

For more information about each retreat, please visit the Upcoming Events section of our website at www.SteppingStonesFarm.com

We look forward to welcoming you soon and frequently!

• April 4-6 – “Get Your Driving Horse Out of Moth Balls” after a long winter with Sue Rogers.
• April 10 – 6:00-8:30pm -- Wisdom Horse Demo & Light Dinner. With and Boo Martin and Coeni Van Beek. Free of charge!
• April 12 – with Bettyann Cernese 10AM - 4PM – “Essentials in Emergency Preparedness for the Horse and Livestock Owner” 12-1:00 – Potluck & Networking 1:00 - 3:00 – "On the Road to Safe Hauling"
• April 22 – “Leadership Unbridled: Harness Emotional Intelligence through the Power of Horses” with Janis Cooper.
• April 26 – 10AM to 2PM – Equine Experiential Education Association (E3A) New England Regional Gathering of members and prospective members.
• April 27– 9 to 4PM – E3A Day of Coaching & Hands-On Arena Time 
• May 2-4 Ketamine Wellness Retreat with Kim Sieper of Blue Lotus Counseling Center.
• May 10 – 10Am - 4PM – “Extreme Weather: Preparing Your Barn & Livestock for Wind, Power & Water Loss, Ice, Snow, Floods and Fire” with Bettyann Cernese
• May 30 – June 1 – “Everything You Wanted To Know About Arena Driving Trials” with Sue Rogers.
• May 15-17 – “The Power Within”…An Executive Women’s Gathering with Pam McPhee and Melissa Churchard-Hannon.
•  June 20-22 – “Your Inner Light” with CJ Pellerin of Willow Wellness.
• June 28 & 29 – “Horse Sense for Human Potential” with Chris Irwin.
• September 5-7 – “Fun & Friendly Weekend of Driving Competition” with Sue Rogers.
• September 24-28 – “Equine Assisted Growth & Learning Association” Fundamentals of the EAGALA Model Certification Training.

Come to the farm to just relax, refresh, and renew. Let our Chefs, Massage Therapists, Mixologists, Wine Educators, Birders, Babysitters, Singers, and Storytellers delight you! 

Enjoy fresh farm eggs, hikes, swimming in our pool, sitting on the porch, playing lawn games galore, and seeing the stars around the fire circle. Have fun farm experiences with “Meet the Minis”, a Barn Tour and Meet the Horses” or “A Behind the Scenes History Tour” with Boo to enjoy your time on the farm. Do as much or as little as you wish. 

Call or email us at Boo@steppingstonesfarm.com to find out what is possible this spring or summer.

This year marks my 50th year of owning the farm. We purchased it from my parents in June of 1975. With hearts full of hope and the innocence of youth, we began our grand adventure on these 28 acres.

I do not regret a single moment of these five decades. Through health and sickness, joy and sadness, and economic ups and downs, we have persevered, staying relevant and sustainable.

Our programs have evolved over the years, but our mission of community, connections, and caring has never wavered. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity to share life’s journey with you.

With gladness and gratitude, Boo