OUR MISSION
THE STARTING GATE...
We provide prevocational/vocational training to individuals with disabilities and underserved community members by teaching routine horse care and related barn chores, woodworking and gardening, at our horse farm.
WHAT WE ARE
STABLEWORK Corp. is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) New York corporation in upstate New York specializing in job readiness training for individuals who need extra support or otherwise have limited access to vocational training in horse care and our other activities. We do this through equine assisted learning, providing a comprehensive curriculum and support in learning natural workplace skills, involving problem-solving, taking initiative, team leadership, and communication. Our structured teaching platform incorporates very small classes to learn how to do routine horse care, barn chores, basic woodworking and painting, and gardening at our small horse farm located outside Ithaca, NY. The training environment is quiet, calm and individually accommodating to our participants to enable their learning to take place.
Our goal is to help individuals develop skills and place them in horse or other animal care positions, such as at local farms, veterinary practices, college facilities, horse rescue farms, and private horse owners who may need a helping hand. We collaborate with local agencies and are open to private individuals and families. We are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning and working environment in accordance with non-discrimination, no harassment and all applicable laws and regulations. Stablework prides itself on being a welcoming and inclusive environment.
OUR HISTORY
As we were exploring living in upstate NY, we noticed a gap between employers looking for animal care and stable hands, the lack of work training opportunities, and individuals wanting to enter this field of work. We came upon a small horse farm in the Finger Lakes region and decided this is it! After purchasing the farm and adding gentle, friendly horses we created an innovative vocational training program for a broad range of individuals who need support to develop their untapped talents.
HORSE CARE WORKERS ARE NEEDED
TRAIN AND HELP PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HORSE AND ANIMAL CARE JOBS
HORSE CARE WORKERS ARE NEEDED
We are located in Newfield, New York, 8 miles from Ithaca, where farms, veterinary facilities, and horse lovers in and around the area abound. However not enough workers are always readily available to care for the animals or do the barn work. Horses require consistent, daily care and we provide a place to develop those skills! A win-win!
PEOPLE NEED JOBS
TRAIN AND HELP PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HORSE AND ANIMAL CARE JOBS
HORSE CARE WORKERS ARE NEEDED
Many people prefer the company of animals.
STABLEWORK provides to the first time explorer of animals or experienced animal lovers an opportunity to learn animal care and related barn work. Animal care work encompasses a range of tasks that can be completed at a comfortable pace. It provides a unique work environment because even though
Many people prefer the company of animals.
STABLEWORK provides to the first time explorer of animals or experienced animal lovers an opportunity to learn animal care and related barn work. Animal care work encompasses a range of tasks that can be completed at a comfortable pace. It provides a unique work environment because even though some tasks are routine, many require thoughtful engagement and an ability to adapt to ever-changing needs. The working environment is also quiet, calm, and demands minimal interpersonal communication skills. No two work days are ever the same. Because of our unique training platform and environment, STABLEWORK teaches job readiness skills of problem-solving, on the job language and social skills, leadership and teamwork. In this way participants are being prepared for a variety of jobs, in animal care or otherwise.
TRAIN AND HELP PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HORSE AND ANIMAL CARE JOBS
TRAIN AND HELP PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HORSE AND ANIMAL CARE JOBS
TRAIN AND HELP PLACE INDIVIDUALS IN HORSE AND ANIMAL CARE JOBS
We help qualified trainees for Challenge Workforce employment programs, and assist in placing trainees in paid and volunteer positions.
CURRENT NEWS & UPCOMING EVENTS
We are excited to be collaborating with the local Special Olympics program to organize an Equestrian Special Olympics team. Fall 2023 is the local Special Olympics competition, with training to begin June 2023.
The Athletes train for 10 - 12 weeks.
Equestrian Special Olympics are indeed "special." Horse riding develops unique leadership, executive function, communication, and emotional regulation skills, among others. Riders must build inner confidence and a relationship with the horse in order to be successful. These learned skills benefit all areas of the rider's life, including vocational aspirations.
Drum roll! Congratulations to Lisa in receiving the Tompkins Trust James J. Byrnes Award 2022 for her many hours of volunteer work creating and operating STABLEWORK, to enhance the lives of Tompkins Community members.
Grateful: to the Cornell Equestrian Team, for donating their amazing horse "Buddy", and to the friends and parents who wrote letters of support, many thanks!
We're over a year old!
Since February 15, 2022, STABLEWORK has been training individuals in learning routine horse care, general job readiness skills, gardening and basic woodworking.
SPECTRUM NEWS 1 Central New York/S Tier interviewed and broadcasted a segment about us in May 2022.
Stablework is a proud member of the American Quarter Horse Association.
Interested in building customized goat houses and goat playgrounds? No experience needed, this is an opportunity to explore and develop your building skills with instruction. Work alongside others at your pace. And when you need a break, go play with the goats! We have already built an accessible ladder for Resi so she can play alongside her fellow goats, but more to come !
Interested in Gardening? Horses love home-grown carrots! Gardening activities are a creative and delicious way to get a sense of accomplishment and develop useful skills. We have three raised garden beds and more coming next Spring.
Getting to know you
Thanks for the treat
Thanks for the treat
PHOTO OWNED AND SUPPLIED COURTESY OF MOZAIC/CHALLENGE.
Thanks for the treat
Thanks for the treat
Thanks for the treat
PHOTO OWNED AND SUPPLIED COURTESY OF MOZAIC/CHALLENGE.
Happy Horse
Thanks for the treat
Happy Horse
PHOTO OWNED AND SUPPLIED COURTESY OF MOZAIC/CHALLENGE.
OUR GOATS ARE THRIVING
Our Nigerian Dwarf GOATS are an especially fun part of our vocational training program. Two adorable baby brother goats, Winston and Skedaddle, and their female goat friend , Resilience, came to us from the wonderful Hilltop Haven Farmstead.
Resi suffered an illness that left her with significant physical challenges affecting her ability to walk. We were so impressed with her determined and cheerful attitude that we offered her “two jobs” at STABLEWORK. Resi is in charge of mothering Winston and Skedaddle, two playful brothers, and helping our participants learn routine goat care. We also built an "accessible" goat playground for Resi so that she can be included in all the fun.
Please join our email list for goat updates!
Our Nigerian Dwarf GOATS have grown so much. Winston and Skedaddle like the view on the goat house our trainees helped build!
Resi is a trooper using the adapted ramp with rails that our trainees built She loves the treats at the top.
BIg shout out to all of our job training participants who helped construct the ramp. And a thank you to Tompkins Community Foundation 2022 Spring Grant to help fund some of the supplies for this project.
WINSTON, SKEDADDLE & RESI LOVE THEIR NEW HOME
Resi approves of the new special window
Happy Goats, the "Twins" enjoying the shade of the awning.
Resi approves of the new special window
Let me see my room!
Happy Goats, the "Twins" enjoying the shade of the awning.
Resi approves of the new special window
Happy Goats, the "Twins" enjoying the shade of the awning.
Happy Goats, the "Twins" enjoying the shade of the awning.
Happy Goats, the "Twins" enjoying the shade of the awning.
Shout out to our trainees who had a hand in building the goat house.
