Hope’s Promise
Chester, New Jersey
Hope's Promise is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a 6-acre farm in Chester, New Jersey, founded in 2012 by Maureen Coultas. It offers therapeutic riding and horsemanship lessons at the farm, and takes its miniature therapy horses to schools, libraries, senior living communities and other facilities. Its stated mission is to support and teach new skills to children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted activities.
- Therapeutic riding and horsemanship lessons
- Introductory horsemanship for beginners
- Miniature horse therapy visits to facilities
- Equine Assisted Empowerment (school-based youth program)
- Four-lesson group programs (one on location, three at the farm)
- Reading and educational programs with miniature horses
- Children and adults with disabilities
- At-risk youth and students with behavioral challenges
- Seniors in assisted living and nursing homes
- Residents of group homes, day programs and rehab centers
- School, library and camp groups
More about this center
About the Program
Lessons at the farm include a Horsemanship program for people with no prior experience around horses and a Riding & Horsemanship program on full-sized horses, where students ride in every lesson. Group programs usually run four lessons: the first on location with miniature horses and the other three at the farm, covering safety, care, leading and riding.
Off the farm, the miniature horses visit assisted living communities, nursing homes, group homes, day programs, rehab centers, schools and universities. The Equine Assisted Empowerment program is a yearlong program for at-risk youth and students with behavioral challenges, with miniature horses visiting their schools. In the reading program, two miniature horses, Michelangelo and Noble Attitude, appear at schools and libraries in northern and central New Jersey.
The Horses and Staff
Founder and director Maureen Coultas is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and completed her training at Centenary University, according to the center's website. The Signal reported that she bought her Appaloosa, Chief, in 2000 and started the program to share the healing she found with him.
The herd includes two full-sized horses (Bernie and Chance), two ponies and five miniature horses. The Signal reported that the organization is volunteer-run and that Coultas manages the programs, visits and lessons herself.
Volunteering
Program volunteers must be at least 16 and barn helpers at least 14. Volunteers attend an orientation, commit to at least 1.5 hours a week, and lesson volunteers stay with a full four-lesson session. Roles include sidewalkers, horse leaders, barn help and fundraising.
Location
The farm is at 34 South Road, Chester, NJ 07930. Visits are by appointment only. The miniature horse programs travel to facilities in northern and central New Jersey.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I sign up for lessons or book a visit?
Call 973-868-8808 or email hopespromisefarm@gmail.com. Farm visits are by appointment only.
Do I need riding experience?
No. The Horsemanship program is designed for people who have never been around horses. The Riding & Horsemanship program covers the same material on full-sized horses, with riding in every lesson.
How much does it cost?
Contact Hope's Promise by phone or email for current rates. The center says its goal is to make its programs accessible to everyone who needs them. Our guide to equine therapy costs gives typical ranges.
Location
Chester, New Jersey 07930
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.