Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA), Ocala, Florida

12/21/2025

It has been a fun and event-FULL week celebrating the Christmas season with our team and many community partners! From family photo sessions at the farm with Pneuma Photos to the Community Foundation Ocala Marion County’s Christmas Social with loads of fun and games and great food to the Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership’s Networking Afterhours to The CEP's Equine Initiative Ocala, presented by Pyranha’s Monthly meeting and fabulous Christmas party at the C&C Bellandi - Mangalarga Marchador Farm and more. Roma's Italian Restaurant also hosted our staff party celebrating our team with amazing community and delicious food! ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and we sincerely wish there is some jolly good times in everyone’s hearts this season. It is not an easy time for everyone, and our hearts are with those who are struggling also.

Happy Sunday, and to all a great week!

12/19/2025

A post for the holidays of three VIP ladies still dedicating heart and soul to the program and mission today! Our staff and volunteers work hand in hand to care for our horses and to do our best to positively change lives day in and day out! We cannot do what we do without them or our amazing horses.

12/18/2025

As the sun paints the morning sky, our herd begins the day just as they always do—together, grounded, and present.
At MTRA, these quiet mornings matter. Horses are highly attuned to their environment and one another, and this natural awareness is a powerful part of equine-assisted therapy. In the stillness of dawn, connection comes easily, setting the foundation for trust, regulation, and healing throughout the day.

12/16/2025

Our Bridge to Success program seeks to teach our younger generations necessary lifeskills and job readiness skills to create a path to independence and success for all who participate. Our local economic impact study indicates that the equine industry contributes $4.3 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 28,500 jobs.

This week’s question is: What percentage of equine jobs make up the county's GDP?

A. 10%
B. 17%
C. 22%
D. 30%

12/16/2025

The magic of the season is even brighter when our whole MTRA family comes together. 🎄✨
Our 2025 Christmas Party was filled with smiles, laughter, and gratitude—shared by the volunteers, staff, riders and their families, sponsors, and loved ones who make MTRA such a special place. Thank you all for being part of our herd and for helping make this year so meaningful.

12/15/2025

We happily kicked off another great new week at the farm, but this weekend, we were out on the town with one of our amazing volunteers, Ms. Courtney, and her horses and best crew, another amazing and longtime volunteer, Ms. Sue, marching in the ocalachristmasparade to share our mission. What an amazing and great crowd we had out there this weekend! The community showed up and lined the streets, cheering, waving, and wishing everyone happy holidays. It was a lot of fun, and a perfect way to celebrate the community who makes what we do possible along with so many other businesses and nonprofits!

"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about."
– Margaret J. Wheatley

#2025

12/15/2025

💙Meaningful Monday 💙
Sometimes the most powerful moments happen quietly—when an instructor truly connects with their rider, building trust, confidence, and understanding one step at a time.

12/14/2025

😄🎄

12/14/2025

Happy National “Day of the Horse!”

National Day of the Horse on December 13th encourages people of the United States to be mindful of the contribution of horses to the economy, history, and character of the United States.

We celebrated in the Ocala Christmas Parade today, but really, today we celebrate the impact of our herd members from the farm and the many, many lives they have touched through the years! They are the true heroes in the work we do each day.

12/13/2025

✨ There’s still time ✨
Christmas Minis on the Farm are almost here. A cozy, rustic setting, beautiful memories, and a chance to support MTRA this holiday season. 🎄🐴

🎄 Christmas Minis on the Farm 🎄
✨ Rustic Boho Horse Trailer Setup ✨

📅 December 14th — One Day Only
⏰ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Hosted in collaboration with Pneuma Photos

📌 All sessions must be booked directly through Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA), Ocala, Florida.

⏱ 15-minute sessions
🕊 10-minute buffer between sessions
📸 Includes 7 professionally edited images
💲 $175 per session
💳 25% non-refundable retainer required to book (applies toward total)

🐴 All proceeds will be donated to MTRA to support rider scholarships and the care of the horses and farm.
Let’s come together and raise money for an amazing cause! ✨

🕰 Please arrive on time for your scheduled session. Late arrivals may result in reduced shooting time and will not extend into the next session.

AVAILABLE TIME SLOTS

12:00 – 12:15
12:25 – 12:40
12:50 – 1:05
1:15 – 1:30
1:40 – 1:55
2:05 – 2:20
2:30 – 2:45
2:55 – 3:10
3:20 – 3:35
3:45 – 4:00
4:10 – 4:25 (Taken)
4:35 – 4:50

✅ 12 total sessions available

12/11/2025

🎄 Christmas Minis on the Farm 🎄
✨ Rustic Boho Horse Trailer Setup ✨

📅 December 14th — One Day Only
⏰ 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Hosted in collaboration with Pneuma Photos

📌 All sessions must be booked directly through Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA), Ocala, Florida.

⏱ 15-minute sessions
🕊 10-minute buffer between sessions
📸 Includes 7 professionally edited images
💲 $175 per session
💳 25% non-refundable retainer required to book (applies toward total)

🐴 All proceeds will be donated to MTRA to support rider scholarships and the care of the horses and farm.
Let’s come together and raise money for an amazing cause! ✨

🕰 Please arrive on time for your scheduled session. Late arrivals may result in reduced shooting time and will not extend into the next session.

AVAILABLE TIME SLOTS

12:00 – 12:15
12:25 – 12:40
12:50 – 1:05
1:15 – 1:30
1:40 – 1:55
2:05 – 2:20
2:30 – 2:45
2:55 – 3:10
3:20 – 3:35
3:45 – 4:00
4:10 – 4:25 (Taken)
4:35 – 4:50

✅ 12 total sessions available

12/10/2025

Today our veterans and their equine partners had a little fun in the arena working through a confidence-building pattern. There were lots of smiles, curious horses, and steady teamwork as everyone practiced trust, redirection, and staying calm around new stimuli.