About Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm

ABOUT CHALLENGE UNLIMITED
Employing horses in a working farm environment, Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm provides beneficial therapy for people with a wide range of physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. The two primary programs are Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy – both using the horse’s unique ability to enhance a person’s movements and touch a person’s heart, inspiring strength, hope and encouragement. The farm’s professional staff of over 20 licensed instructors and therapists work with 35 program horses and
150 volunteers to serve 450 to 500 children and adults each week, year round. Coming from more than 90 cities and towns throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire, participants enjoy the aesthetic beauty of the farm while receiving valuable therapy in collaboration with other service providers to best address their physical and emotional needs.

Therapeutic Riding
Challenge Unlimited uses horses, riding, and the environment of the working farm as educational and therapeutic tools to help people with disabilities. Licensed instructors design programs that encourage self-confidence and contribute to improved physical condition. Riding horses makes therapy an experience
that is both challenging and fun.
Registration forms

Recreational Riding
At Ironstone Farm, recreational riding has
been a popular activity for people of all ages for more than 40 years. Participants learn “from the ground up” how to care for, communicate with and ride horses in a safe and encouraging environment. Small horse shows are held where the fun is stressed and the stress is
removed, helping riders build a solid foundation in a sport that can become a life-long pleasure.
Registration forms

Owen

Back to top

ABOUT IRONSTONE FARM
Ironstone Farm was founded in 1960 by owner Richard Donovan as a breeding, training, and rehabilitative facility for thoroughbred performance horses.
The non-profit Challenge Unlimited was created out of the Donovan family’s desire to share Ironstone Farm with people whose lives have been challenged by disability. Located on 14 beautiful acres in Andover, Massachusetts, the property consists of pasture, woodland, ponds, and is home to 35 horses, donkeys, and a variety of wildlife, making a visit to the farm a memorable
experience for all ages. In 2001, after a two year capital campaign, Challenge Unlimited purchased Ironstone Farm so that the property and programs will be preserved for generations to come.

OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGE UNLIMITED AT IRONSTONE FARM

1960s - 70s	Richard Donovan built farm, bred, raised and trained thoroughbred horses.
1970s	Field trips to Ironstone Farm by groups of children with special needs.
1983	(25 clients) Incorporated Challenge Unlimited as a non-profit charitable organization to offer therapeutic riding to individuals with disability (all services donated by Ironstone Farm).
1985	Challenge Unlimited received tax exempt status with the IRS as a 501( c)(3) organization.
1986	Established programs with National Birth Defects Center/Genesis Fund.
1987	Established association with Massachusetts Special Olympics.
1988	Established lease arrangement with Ironstone Farm to enable programs to grow. Also became first Massachusetts organization to host Special Olympics Equestrian Event.
1989	(200 clients) Established Annual Yearbook Fundraiser.
1991	Organized Therapeutic Riding Research Committee.
	1994 Richard Donovan built Physical Therapy Building for Challenge Unlimited programs. Initial pilot therapy programs were born.
1996	(400 clients) Signed first public school contracts with Lowell for PT and OT services.
1997	Established Ironstone Therapy as medically based physical and occupational therapy service provider.
1998	Incorporated Ironstone Therapy as non-profit 501( c)(3) organization.
1999	(700 clients) Initiate plans for expansion of facilities and programs to support future generations.
2000	Begin contracts with Early Intervention.
2001	Successful completion of Phase I Capital Campaign.
2002	Special Olympics Hall of Fame

Disabilities Served
Challenge Unlimited and Ironstone Therapy serve approximately 480 individuals weekly, year round, with representatives from more then 82 cities and towns throughout Greater Boston, the Merrimack Valley, and Southern New Hampshire. Disabilities include the following:

Cerebral Palsy
Autism
Attention Deficit Disorder
Stroke
Pervasive Development Delay
Seizure Disorder
Learning Disability
Developmental Disability
Mental Handicap
Mental Retardation
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injury
Cancer
Down syndrome
Williams syndrome
Aperts Syndrome
Huntington disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Visual and Hearing Impairment

Our Horses
Ironstone’s herd of 35 horses includes 22 Haflingers – a breed originating in the Austrian Alps, and used extensively in the United States by the Amish. Safe, reliable and pretty, the Haflingers have proven to be excellent school horses and have become “dream ponies” for the children at Ironstone Farm. The rest of the herd includes a variety of breeds chosen to meet the diverse requirements of our clientele.

Home Ironstone Therapy Ironstone Farm Directions Donor Info Affiliates Forms

Challenge Unlimited at Ironstone Farm - 450 Lowell Street - Andover, MA 01810 978-475-4056 Fax 978-475-4046

E-mail: Info@ChallengeUnlimited.org