The board of directors and Executive Director Rebecca Abbott of Kickstart Stables are breathing a sigh of relief as they start to close the book on phase two of the planning for a state-of-the-art therapeutic equine facility in Boothbay. For over a year, the board and Abbott have carefully been putting together their business plan, design plans, marketing and fundraising strategies. Due to recent generous financial donations, Kickstart Stables has been able to move quickly and is looking forward to phase three and breaking ground late this fall.

Becky and her husband Derek Abbott purchased 11 acres on Country Club Road, nestled between the golf course and a land preserve, in 2010 with the hopes of one day realizing her dream. With recent financial donations and an active board volunteering countless hours to make this a reality, Kickstart Stables received its nonprofit status and since then has moved quickly to becoming more than just thoughts on paper.

Kickstart Stables has partnered with Morton Buildings of Auburn to design and construct the facility.

The plans, as they stand now, will allow for boarding of 20 horses, a private function room for parties, events and meetings, a “hang out” room for kids of all ages, a heated indoor arena (in the future) and state-of-the-art therapeutic equipment. The outside design of the building will keep with New England styled architecture, offer the horses plenty of outdoor grazing and provide an outdoor riding arena. Services will include boarding, group and private lessons, camps, events and therapeutic services. The board feels it is important to build a facility that is safe for the horses and the riders, is environmentally friendly, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

This facility will be the first in the Midcoast region of Maine to offer therapeutic horseback riding services and is on the road to be PATH ( Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship), certified. The center will be furnished with equipment to assist the physically challenged, such as ramps, lifts and riding equipment. A full-time, PATH-certified instructor will be hired when the doors open for the therapeutic work of the nonprofit.

With 20 years of equine experience, Abbott will work closely with the instructor and the PATH program qualifications to become certified herself. The benefits of therapeutic riding include improving motor skills for those with physical disabilities and fostering emotional rewards, such as trust building and self-confidence in both children and adults.

The farm will be more than just a place for kids and adults to ride horses. Abbott and the board also envision the farm as a place where kids can put down the electronics and run around outside, be with friends and make new friends, learn responsibility and skills in the care of animals and enjoy the benefits of a natural experience.

Board President Steve Baseman is currently the president of the Churchill Group and is a past chairman and longtime member of the Board of Goodwill Industries of Manasota, Fla. He brings his business experience and acumen in having started and operated a number of businesses, which is needed to successfully run this enterprise.

Vice President Pauline Dion brings to the board her expertise in nonprofits, also, as she is one of the major driving forces of the recently successfully established Sea and Science Center of the region.

Treasurer Gary Balducci, owner of Wishing Well Farms is also the president of the Maine Poultry Growers Association and chairman of the Sheep and Goat Committee. He has been an instructor of the Knox-Lincoln Tractor Safety Course for 18 years and is also a supervisor for the Knox-Lincoln County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Secretary Heather O’Brien of Boothbay Harbor has served on the board of directors for the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, the Friends of the Windjammers Days Committee and is currently the president of the Boothbay Region Booster Club. Her interest in the project grew as she learned more and more the benefits of therapeutic riding and the excitement of offering kids a place to be kids.

The Kickstart Stables board would like to acknowledge Southport summer residents Paul and Sharma Schacknow, and the board of directors of The Max and Evelyn Schacknow Foundation, for their recent donation to the non-profit organization. The gift has assisted with marketing material costs, a membership to the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, and continuation with the development of the pilot therapeutic program scheduled to launch late this summer. 

Lori Pecor, owner of Marketing Cents 4u of the Boothbay region, will be marketing the project. Her business experience in the mixture of out of the box and traditional marketing techniques encourages the board in feeling they have made the right choice in a company that will deliver positive results for project. The board is currently still interviewing various fundraising companies for the project.

Later this summer, Abbott will be able to launch a pilot therapeutic riding program thanks to the generosity of Rose Wood Farm owner Amanda Averill. Averill has worked in the therapeutic equine industry since she was a young adult and is a huge promoter of the benefits is has for children and adults with various physical and emotional disabilities. She has offered her facility and will be the instructor for the participants. This program will be very limited in space.

If anyone would like more information about the project, making a donation or is interested in being on the board of directors, an advisory committees or participating in the pilot program, please contact us at kickstartstables@gmail.com.