Participant Spotlight: Adrian – A Journey of Joy, Growth, and Grit

When Lee Gerstein and Natalie Moore were navigating the early days of their son Adrian’s autism diagnosis, they were overwhelmed by the number of therapies and support systems they needed to put in place. But Natalie, who grew up around horses, knew firsthand the therapeutic benefits they offer. She wanted something joyful for Adrian, not just another therapy session. That search led the Gerstein-Moore family to MTR.

Lee admits he was skeptical at first. “I thought it was crazy to put a 2-year-old on a horse.” Their very first session was mostly spent convincing Adrian to wear a helmet, through tears and hesitation. But everything shifted the moment he got on the horse. “He went from a meltdown to completely calm. It was the most peaceful I had ever seen him.”

Since then, MTR has become a cornerstone of Adrian’s development. What began with full support just to walk to the horse has transformed into sessions filled with confidence, enthusiasm, and even speech milestones. Adrian, now beaming from the saddle, proudly calls out “go, go, go!” as he encourages his horse to trot. “It’s one of the few times he’s truly regulated,” Lee shares. “He’s worked so hard, and the progress he’s made is incredible.”

The journey hasn’t always been smooth, there was a time Adrian refused to wear a helmet, but the flexibility and compassion of MTR’s team made all the difference. Instead of stepping away from the session, his team adapted to making it ground based, allowing Adrian to continue bonding with the horses in other ways. “It was a turning point,” says Lee. “They didn’t give up, they met him where he was.”

Beyond Adrian’s personal growth, the Gerstein-Moore family has found a sense of peace and belonging at MTR. “It’s an oasis,” Lee says. “We live in Baltimore City, and coming to the farm each week feels grounding. But more than that, it’s the people. Everyone, from the staff to the volunteers to the other families, creates a community that’s welcoming, warm, and real.”

That sense of connection inspired the family to give back. They began by sponsoring Adrian’s first equine partner, Ducati, and now champion Mr. Fluffy, Adrian’s current partner. Natalie volunteers, and Lee serves on MTR’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s future. “MTR has given us so much, we wanted to help ensure other families can experience what we have.”

For them, MTR is more than a program, it’s one of the few parenting decisions that’s never come with doubt. “It’s been a constant ‘yes’ in our lives, and if another family is considering MTR for their child, it’s the best decision you’ll make. The impact is beyond measure.”

Big Impact in Small Packages:

Welcoming Smidge & Indy

to the MTR Herd

We are thrilled to introduce the two newest (and smallest!) members of the MTR herd: Smidge and Indy. Miniature horses with mighty hearts and an important mission.

These pint-sized partners may be small in stature, but they bring big personalities and tremendous value to MTR’s Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and MTR on the Road programs. As our Mental Health Program Manager Katie Street shares, “Many programs find success partnering with minis because of their large personalities in little bodies. They offer a wealth of feedback and interaction for our EAP participants to learn and grow from.”

In our EAP sessions, Smidge and Indy will help create a safe and engaging environment for individuals and groups to explore emotional awareness, self-regulation, communication, and relationship-building. Their approachable size often helps reduce intimidation, especially for participants who may be new to working with horses. And don’t be fooled by their size, minis are incredibly perceptive, expressive, and responsive, making them excellent partners for this kind of transformative work.

We hope that Smidge and Indy will also play a key role in expanding the reach of MTR’s mission through our MTR on the Road program. Because of their size, they will be easier to transport and can travel to schools, senior centers, community events, and partner organizations, bringing the healing power of horses to those who may not otherwise have access to it. We hope they’ll join our goats as cheerful, four-hooved ambassadors, spreading joy and connection wherever they go.

With the addition of Smidge and Indy, MTR continues to grow our capacity to serve more people in meaningful ways, on and off the farm. We look forward to all the healing, learning, and smiles these little horses will inspire.

Smidge is currently on his introductory trial at MTR to determine if this is a job that he will enjoy. Indy has completed his onboarding process.

MTR’s Summer FUNdraiser runs through July 4th!

We’re rallying our amazing community to help our herd stay cool, comfortable, and fly-free all summer long.

As the days heat up, so do the challenges brought on by summer pests. Your support will help us provide essential care items like fly sheets, fly boots, and fly spray, and more! Simple tools that make a huge difference in our horses’ health, comfort, and ability to focus on their important work.

Every dollar goes directly toward our horses’ summer care needs. Together, we can make sure our equine partners stay protected and prepared to deliver healing and heart all season long.

💛 Share the love with our hardworking herd and decorate their stalls for the summer season! 💛

$5 or more donation places a summer flower decal on the horse's stall(s) of your choice.

*Be sure to note in the comments who's stall(s) you would like to decorate.

$75 or more donation places a golden sun decal on ALL of the horse's stalls!

Volunteer Spotlight:

Just Beth – Finding Purpose, Passion, and a Pony

When Beth first typed “volunteering with children and animals” into a search bar, she had no idea it would lead her to a place that would change her life. With her youngest son earning his driver's license and her days finally opening up, Beth was ready to do something for herself. That search led her straight to Maryland Therapeutic Riding—and despite no prior horse experience, she signed up for barn duty and showed up eager to help.

From day one, she felt welcomed. “The barn lead, didn’t care that I’d never worked with horses before—she made me feel like I mattered. She taught me how to pick stalls, stuff hay nets, and just be useful. I left that day feeling proud.” And she kept coming back.

Week after week, Beth found herself drawn deeper into the MTR community. “It’s the people, the horses, the environment—it’s all so real and positive,” she shares. “You’re surrounded by acceptance and purpose. You learn from people of all abilities, and it completely changes the way you see the world—and yourself.”

Over time, Beth stepped into new roles: side walker, horse leader, and even student. She began taking riding lessons and joined the Pony Partners Program, where she was matched with Chip, a 35-year-old Gypsy Quarter Horse. What she didn’t know then was how much she would come to lean on Chip. “Shortly after we were paired, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. Chip was my anchor. He knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t.”

Beth carries countless moments in her heart from her time at MTR, but one memory in particular stands out: “I was side walking during a lesson with a young boy. About halfway through, he started repeating what we were saying. After the lesson, we excitedly told his parents. Their eyes filled with tears and they said, ‘He’s non-verbal.’”

Now, at 62, Beth is working toward her PATH Intl. CTRI certification to become a therapeutic riding instructor. “I thought I’d be sitting on a beach at this point in life, but instead, I’m learning something completely new. It’s scary—but I’ve never felt so supported and encouraged.”

For Beth, volunteering at MTR has been more than giving back—it’s been about rediscovering who she is. “I’ve been a mother since I was 22. I love it, but you kind of lose yourself. Here, I’m not someone’s mom—I’m just Beth. And that’s enough.” She puts it simply: “You’ll scoop poop in the blazing sun and still have the best conversations of your life. You’ll laugh until your stomach hurts. You’ll witness pure, unscripted joy. That’s MTR. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

To learn more about volunteering at MTR and to attend our next Volunteer Orientation on July 19th, be sure to visit our Volunteer page and complete the volunteer application. You will be contacted about the Orientation once your application has been submitted.

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