Hidden Hill Horse Farm
Building a vibrant sense of community through culture,
sustainability, and opportunity
The mission of Hidden Hill Horse Farm is to promote safety and aid in individuals overcoming their physical, cognitive, behavioral, mental, and emotional challenges. We strive to help everyone find strength and independence through equine assisted services. In addition to therapeutic riding, our center offers therapeutic equine-related activities including groundwork, stable management, and human growth and development. We strongly believe in our educational purpose to develop leadership, team building, and other human capacity enhancement skills that may be displayed in various areas of daily routine.
About Us
We have a smaller farm located in Rochester, Pennsylvania, established 2011. We offer a wide variety of equine related activities from therapeutic based sessions, to guided trail rides, and group team building experiences. We mainly focus on using our horses to teach a wide range of life skills during our riding lessons. We are certified through Path Intl. to work with physical, behavioral, social/emotional, mental, and cognitive needs. We proudly hold the title for being the only provider of equine assisted therapy services recognized by The Office of Developmental Programing in the state of Pennsylvania. We also participate in the equine sports through Special Olympics. Our horses are trained with an independent principle. This means they actively work with our participants, which allows us to minimize the use of horse leads/side walkers to create a more independent experience.
Programs & Services
Riding Sessions:
All of our riding sessions implement a therapeutic principle and are open to participants of various ages.
Trail Rides:
Trail rides are available to the public for those looking for a relaxing escape from daily routine. (Max 4 riders)
Ground Based Practices:
These practices reference ground handling and stable management opportunities.
Driving Sessions/Cart Rides:
As we strive to offer diversity; driving lessons/cart rides are available to those who may not be able/interested in riding.
Group Farm Experiences:
The group experiences we offer encourage teamwork to help build communication skills and social skills. (Min 4 / Max 8)
Path Intl. Mentoring:
We offer on-site and off-site mentoring opportunities for those seeking hours with Path Intl. professionals towards certification
Contact Info
Drew Haney
Ex. Director of Equine Services
Phone: (724) 630-6853
Email: hiddenhillhorsefarm@outlook.com
Pricing
Hourly Sessions: (Riding/Trails/Cart/Ground) $60 per person
30 Minute Sessions: (Riding & Ground) $40 per person
Group Farm Experiences: (min 4/ max 8) $200 total (approximately 90 minutes)
Mentoring services vary per contracts please call Drew Haney 724-630-6853
Note: Waiver Funding is accepted for eligible participants. We also partner with Achieva for individual sponsorships!
Reasons to choose HHHF
Certified Instructors
Flexible
Scheduling
Program Insured
Affordable
Prices
Executive Team
DREW HANEY - CTRI
Executive Director of Equine Services
Drew founded Hidden Hill Horse Farm in 2011 and became the Ex. Director in 2014, when our organization became open to the public. He has spent the last decade developing the services and led the organization in the direction of becoming non-profit in 2020 after obtaining his certification in therapeutic riding through Path Intl. in 2017. Drew is passionate about the therapeutic impacts horses can make on a person and can be found sharing his personal story with participants from time to time. "This program is based on how horses changed my life," he says, "I’m just giving everyone else in our community the same opportunity." He strongly believes in the work we do and is determined to impact as many people in our community as he can!
AMANDA WEIHER - Nationally Certified Counselor
Assistant Director, Programing Specialist
Amanda has a Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. Amanda joined our program in 2015, as a participant, looking to reconnect with horses and work various areas of herself. Since then, she has had the opportunity to watch our program grow into what it is today. “I came to Hidden Hill Horse Farm during one of my own lowest mental health points”, she expressed, “this place saved me from myself.” Fast forward to 2022 she came forward expressing interest in getting more involved so she could recreate her experience for others in the community. Today, she is an accomplished therapeutic riding instructor who is able to teach individuals ways to overcome limitations that their minds have put on them. Amanda knew from a young age that she wanted to help people in their mental health battles, but never did she imagine she would become the lead program developer of our Clinical Therapy Program which is dated for 2026 once she becomes and LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor).
ASHLEY NEWMASTER - RN
Medical Advisor
Ashley is a Registered Nurse with several years of experience. She has various skills acquired from working in Geriatric departments ranging from Rehab to Medical/Surgical units in hospitals. She accomplished the roles of charge nurse and preceptor at the early stages of her career and is currently furthering herself by getting her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. “I was inspired to get into the medical field by having a brother who has Autism and my love to help people. I see people in their worst spots in life and I get to use my positive personality to give my patients a little bit of happiness and hope”, she states. Ashley has known the founder since 2005, and they have mutually supported the growth and accomplishments of one another. Ashley is amazed at the developments taking place at our facility over the years and is even more excited to apply her professional medical background to increase the level of understanding our staff has towards the individuals we service. She is dedicated to helping others and the creation of a positive and safe healing environment.
ABBY HORTER - Special Education Teacher
Academic Advisor
Abby is a licensed special education and elementary teacher with a Bachelor Degree from Slippery Rock University. She specializes in working with individuals with a wide range of intellectual and behavioral needs including autism and learning disabilities. Abby began her career in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, Indiana as a lead functional skills teacher and case manager. She spent three years leading the Crisis Intervention Team in positive behavior supports for students with emotional and behavioral needs. She also developed curriculum for medically fragile students during that time. In 2019, Abby moved back to her hometown of Beaver County and continued her teaching career as a special education teacher and case manager in Pittsburgh. She specialized in writing social emotional learning curriculum, progress monitoring student data, and writing Individuated Educational Plans. Abby volunteered for several years during the beginning stages of the therapeutic program being created and continues to contribute academic insight to its developments. Her professional experiences bring an advanced academic focus to the therapeutic program as its ability to increase educational impacts. In support of Hidden Hill Horse Farm’s mission, Abby believes that therapeutic horse instruction gives every child the opportunity to learn, grow, and develop important life skills that last not only inside the horse arena, but for a lifetime!
KRISTI BATZEL - Social Worker
Programing Specialist
Kristi is a Licensed Social Worker who has her Bachelor Degree in Psychology from Penn State University, and her Master Degree in Social Work from Simmons University. She has spent the entirety of her professional career in the mental health field and specializes in trauma. She started her career with, and continues to work with, underserved populations including those struggling with addiction, severe mental illness, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those who have been or are currently involved in the criminal justice system, as well as the foster care system. Kristi was the Statewide Lead Activity Therapist in Maryland while she was an employee of the state
correctional system. She assisted in the overall functioning and development of mental health interventions for incarcerated individuals across several correctional institutions throughout the state. She has experience of curriculum writing and development for mental health programming, and
successfully integrated a pilot program in 2019 for incarcerated individuals with severe mental illness diagnoses to have more access to therapeutic interventions even during COVID. From her own professional experiences, Kristi heavily believes in the importance of creating therapeutic relationships to serve as a catalyst in the emotional development and overall well-being of an individual. Kristi believes in this program as a means for individuals to foster healthy relationship habits and meaningful connections, to become aware of different emotions and how to process these, the development of life skills that can be applicable across multiple aspects of life, and mutual healing through an unspoken bond between two beings.
JONATHAN ARNOLD - Realtor
Board Secretary
Jonathan became a resident of Beaver County in 2019, the same year he became a licensed Realtor. Upon moving to the county, he was quick to comment on how kind the people were, the promise the area held, and the strong sense of community he felt. He found his way to our program in 2021 and has made numerous efforts towards its development through donations and taking part in community events. You can often find him talking with participants and their parents during riding competitions, expressing excitement towards their progression and obtaining feedback for us to grow from. In his opinion, he believes everyone should have the opportunity to find a home, and thinks it is a critical component to the overall pursuit of happiness. “I am lucky enough to work in an industry that not only allows me to place people in the home of their dreams, but I am also blessed with the endless number of friendships that comes from that educational journey”, he says. Jonathan shares this mindset towards our program. He believes that a strong educational component partnered with a therapeutic component does more for the overall development of our participants lifelong journey towards their pursuit of happiness.
MICHAEL MOTKO - Business Operations
Solutions Specialist
With over 17 years of hospitality and foodservice experience Michael is recognized throughout his career to be a visionary, corporate executive, implementing in-depth knowledge in strategic team leading and inspiring company culture. His titles have ranged from Vice President of Operations, Director of Operations, and Executive Chef. His abilities to develop company culture resonates within our organization on many impactful levels. He is able to bring new ideas to the organization, inspire our team to excel at greater levels, and offer constructive solutions to developing operations. Michael and his family are deep rooted in the farm and have aspirations of long-term sustainability so their children can participate and develop life skills through our programing. “There is a sense of peace and tranquility on this farm where learning life skills and fun come hand and hand. It’s inspiring to see the work that is done here, and it gives me hope for the future of the people involved and how it will impact the community” says Mike.
Meet our Residents
TOBY
Haflinger - Quarter Horse Cross - Pony - Gelding
Toby is a first-year horse for our riders. This means he is quiet and patient with are participants and typically works with them their first year in the program. He is overqualified in helping them build an independent sense of reassurance and responsibility. He is professional barrel racer, avid trail rider, and jumper. There isn't anything he won't do! He was this program's very first horse, and now serves as our mascot.
SADIE
Haflinger - Pony - Mare
Sadie is a first-year horse for our riders. She is quiet and relatively patient, although she certainly has her own opinions about things. She is often used to with participants that struggle to find their sense of self or have a physical handicap. Sadie is also trained to drive and can be seen visiting the Sylvania Hills Memorial Park with clients in our cart from time to time.
PISTOL
Paint - Quarter Horse - Horse - Gelding
Pistol is a second-year horse for our riders. He is typically used as a graduate horse for riders returning the follow year. He is highly emotionally entuned with those around him and often mirrors the emotions of candidates who work with him. He is a caretaker to children, but typically on edge with adults. He is mostly used in developing one's sense of self to create scenarios where they can physically experience how their feelings can affect those around them.
"Z" ZORINO
Paint - Tennessee Walker - Horse - Gelding
Z is a blended horse. Blended refers to his ability to service first-year and second-year riders. Z has an interesting past and with those experiences he has developed OCD tendencies. Riders must perform at a consistently high level with their communication skills for Z to respond accordingly. He will only connect with riders at a 100% level, if they are putting in an equal 100% to connect with him. He is the most gentle horse in our program and often likes hugs from those that take the time to connect with him.
LUCKY
Paint - Quarter Horse -?- Gelding
Lucky is our newest, and youngest resident. He is still undergoing training at this time and has gradually started interacting with our participants. He is typically quiet and enjoys attention. He is very engaged when snacks are involved and showing lots of progress in early stages of development.
DREAMER
Paint - Mustang - Horse - Gelding
Dreamer is first and foremost, direct and honest! He will never lie about how he's feeling on any given day, and it certainly shows during his sessions. He is considered a blended resident like Z, and also shows high intuitive emotional mannerisms like Pistol. Dreamer, however, often chooses to reside on the dark side. He finds humor in frustrating his adult riders for his own entertainment yet is an angel for younger children. He is often used to develop emotional management skills for riders that struggle with internalizing outside sources of negativity.
FINN
Old Foundation Quarter Horse - Horse - Gelding
Finn is the younger, non-biological brother to Dreamer. Currently he simply takes residency here with his brother and is utilized for staff purposes from time to time. He has not been a mount for clients at this time, but the possibility could be explored later.
Family Resources
Achieva - Beaver Valley, Monaca
Contact: Lori Capperis - Family Support Coordinator
Phone: 724-777-2510
Email: lcapperis@achieva.info
*Lori has been a huge help to our families! Achieva offers so much more to families than just opportunities in our program! Any child with an IEP could qualify!
Achieva Family Trust - Pittsburgh
Jennifer Stoyer
Phone: 412-995-5000 Ext 493
*Jen is knowledgeable about small grant applications that could provide one-year sponsorships to our program! Families with Supports Coordinators can also utilize this resource in the event Waiver is ineligible.
Beth Meteney - Supports Broker
Phone: 724-622-0923
Email: Beth@viableoptionsforindividuals.com
*Beth is a wonderful resource for Waiver recipients! She helps to locate and acquire services that would otherwise go under the radar.
C.S. Scholarship Fund - HHHF
The C.S. Scholarship Fund was created in remembrance of Sue Haney. My grandmother strongly believed in the impact our program could make for the children in our community. While the primary available funds may be dispersed to select candidates, qualifying restrictions apply.
D. Phillips Donation - HHHF
The D. Phillips Donation was awarded to our organization in remembrance of a young man whose life was cut short relating to substance. While the primary available funds may be dispersed to select candidates, qualifying restrictions apply.
Donations
Thank you to everyone who donates towards our cause! All donations go into our C.S. Scholarship Fund!