The Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club
Newton, New Jersey
The Helping Horseshoe Therapeutic Riding Club is a not-for-profit organization in Sussex County, New Jersey, that provides equine-assisted activities for people of all ages and abilities, with and without special needs. It holds year-round private and group therapeutic riding lessons at the Equine Tranquility Wellness Center in Andover, along with experiential learning programs, camps and work-study opportunities.
- Private and group therapeutic riding lessons
- Standard riding lessons (dressage, hunt seat, western)
- Equine experiential learning programs
- Hearts and Hooves summer camp for children in foster care
- Programs for veterans and military families
- Work-study and job training programs
- Horse show and Special Olympics competition
- Community service hours, school trips and scouting
- Children, teens, adults and seniors
- People with special needs
- People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Children in foster care
- At-risk youth
- People in recovery from substance use
- Veterans and their families
More about this center
About the Program
According to Morris Sussex Resource Net, the club was founded in 1999 as a not-for-profit corporation. Its therapeutic riding lessons run year-round in indoor and outdoor arenas, and the farm has a sensory trail through the woods for riding and walking. The website also lists standard riding lessons for adults and children, unmounted horsemanship, senior programs, birthday parties and an introductory horse experience for non-riders.
Its equine experiential learning programs include tracks for youth leadership, resilience building, addiction recovery, veterans and corporate leadership, with sessions ranging from two hours to eight weeks. Other listed programs include a free week-long summer camp for children in foster care, a summer day camp for children of active military personnel, and a work-study program in the stable for people with special needs. Riders can take part in horse shows, including Special Olympics competition.
The Horses and Staff
The website names Kara Stark McGrew as founder, director and primary instructor. It says she is a PATH Intl. advanced certified instructor and a certified Special Olympics equestrian coach, and that she manages the state horse show and hosts the Area 3 Special Olympics show for HRH of NJ. A feature from the Pennsylvania National Horse Show Foundation, which gave the club a grant, says many of its horses are on their second or third careers.
Volunteering
Volunteers help as horse leaders and sidewalkers and with stable, grounds, fundraising and office work. The club offers volunteer training, and the website asks people interested in volunteering to contact Kara.
Location
The club's lesson location is the Equine Tranquility Wellness Center, 134 Airport Road, Andover, NJ 07821, in Sussex County, where it uses the indoor arena, outdoor arena and sensory trail. The wellness center is a separate nonprofit at the same farm that works in partnership with the club. According to Morris Sussex Resource Net, the club serves Morris, Sussex and Warren counties. Its registered mailing address is 914 Duck Pond Road, Newton, NJ.
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?
Contact director Kara Stark McGrew at (862) 268-4810. Lessons are offered year-round as private sessions or small group classes.
How much do lessons cost?
Call (862) 268-4810 to ask about current rates. Morris Sussex Resource Net lists self-pay and Division of Developmental Disabilities funding as accepted payment, and the Hearts and Hooves foster care camp is free to families. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
What ages does the club serve?
It serves children, teens, adults and seniors, with and without special needs.
Location
Newton, New Jersey 07860
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.