McKinney | February 2025

Nonpro t

BY KAREN CHANEY

ManeGait, an equine therapy center, started construction on an expansion initiative called the Beacon Project in January 2024. The nonprot pursued the expansion following an increase in demand for therapy services as exhibited by the over 400 people on the organization’s waitlist, Executive Director Tricia Nelson said. Currently the facility includes one active riding arena, a second arena is currently being used as a barn, and various small buildings that house the organization’s programming and a horse riding simulator. The $12.1 million project includes another covered arena, a 32-stall horse barn, a new administrative building, a brain-building therapy center, a multi- use event area and a 75-seat conference space. ManeGait to debut $12.1M expansion

Diving in deeper

Looking ahead

RUTHERFORD BRANCH

ManeGait was founded by Priscilla and Bill Darling in 2007. Priscilla Darling had previous volunteer experience at an equestrian therapy center but it was an hour away from their McKin- ney home. She felt there was a need for a similar service in McKinney, said Nelson. GaitWay to the Brain, a program focused on brain-building while riding horses, was developed at ManeGait by licensed speech pathologist and brain-building expert Robin Harwell, and is based on the science of neuroplasticity. “Our target here is about building attention in the brain,” she said. “If you’re struggling with attention, which is what usually happens with some sort of neurological challenge ... you’re going to struggle with attention because the sensory information tends to come in too fast, too loud or too bright.” A carriage driving program is oered for those who are unable to mount a horse. Nelson’s daughter, who has special needs, was

The expansion project is slated to be completed in November, Nelson said. In the meantime, Nelson said there are a variety of ways to get involved at ManeGait including volunteer and donation opportunities. ManeGait has raised $9.5 million for the project as of January 2025 and fundraising eorts are still underway.

Participant results

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Beginning in 2015, Texas Woman’s University students studied 25 special needs children in ManeGait’s therapeutic riding program for 32 weeks. Researchers reported a 20% increase in overall motor skill prociency including:

Agility Balance Coordination Dexterity

Motor precision and integration Running speed Strength

“The thing I’m most excited about is whittling away that wait list and getting those riders on horses.” TRICIA NELSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SOURCE: MAINGAITCOMMUNITY IMPACT

three years old when she became the rst rider at ManeGait in 2008. Nelson said ManeGait’s primary focus is on children and adults with special needs, however there is a small percentage of veterans who utilize their services.

ManeGait is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International Premier Accredited Center that provides weekly therapy programs to 150 children and adults with physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral disabilities.

KAREN CHANEYCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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