There is something special about the connection between a person and a horse. Sometimes it begins with a gentle touch. Other times, it starts with brushing a horse’s mane or simply standing beside an animal that seems to understand more than words can express. At The Stables, those moments can become the beginning of something meaningful.
Located on approximately 85 acres in the Farmington area, The Stables is a nonprofit organization dedicated to therapeutic horsemanship and riding programs for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Owned by Roxanne Miller and her husband, the facility grew from a lifelong love of horses and a desire to serve the community.
After Roxanne’s four children, who grew up with horses, left home, she began thinking about how the family farm could serve a greater purpose. Her background as a special education teacher helped shape that vision.
“We wanted a place where someone that has a disability feels like they don’t have a disability,” Roxanne said.
The Stables opened on September 14, 2023, with 16 students. Today, the program serves approximately 60 students.
The work is about far more than learning to ride. Therapeutic horsemanship can help students develop balance, posture, core strength, communication, and social skills while also building confidence and self-esteem.
Full-time instructor Varina Luttrull explains that riding engages muscles people may not realize they are using, allowing students to receive physical exercise while focusing on the experience rather than the effort.
“It’s the confidence and the pride that you can have that you can sit on a thousand-pound animal,” Varina said.
Progress looks different for every student. One may begin by simply touching a horse, while another works toward grooming, leading, or riding independently. Instructors establish individual goals and allow students to move at a pace that feels safe and achievable.
“Horsemanship isn’t just show up, get on the horse, do a lesson, get off the horse, and go home,” Varina said. “There is a bonding that is required.”
Students learn to groom, saddle, lead, and care for the horses, developing patience and responsibility along the way. They can also enjoy trail rides around a lake and through wooded areas on the property.
The Stables will host a student showcase on November 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have been learning.
The horses themselves are important teachers, encouraging students to practice compassion, mindfulness, and awareness while developing a unique bond with each rider.
“What they give us, no human can give us; it’s amazing,” Roxanne said.
Creating these opportunities takes a dedicated team. The Stables relies on full-time instructors Varina and Jeff Evans, along with approximately 14 volunteers who assist with lessons and fundraising events.
“If it wasn’t for the volunteers, we would hardly exist,” Roxanne said.
That community support has also helped bring an exciting new resource to the farm: a Dressage Pro Riding Simulator.
Arriving at the end of June and fully funded through a grant, the simulator gives students another way to practice riding skills in a controlled environment. According to The Stables, it is one of only four such machines at a barn in the United States.
A large-screen display allows riders to experience virtual settings such as beaches, wooded trails, farms, and zoos, while instructors can observe their movements and access performance data.
For some students, the simulator may serve as a stepping stone toward riding a live horse. For others, including individuals with horse allergies, it provides an opportunity to experience riding that might otherwise be inaccessible.
Varina emphasizes that the simulator is not meant to replace the horses. Instead, it expands what The Stables can offer.
“It opens up a lot of possibilities for us that I’m excited for us to explore as we move forward,” she said.
The gift was especially meaningful because the organization expected it might take years of fundraising to obtain a simulator. Instead, the opportunity arrived much sooner than anticipated.
Looking ahead, the team hopes to expand its services, including programs specifically for veterans and first responders. Spending time with horses can offer an opportunity to slow down, focus on the present, and step away from everyday pressures.
As The Stables grows, Roxanne remains committed to preserving the personal connections that define the organization. She wants every student to feel known, respected, and supported.
For Varina and Roxanne, the community’s generosity is one of the greatest reasons to be thankful. Students, families, volunteers, donors, and local businesses all play a role in sustaining the mission.
The Stables is a reminder that meaningful change happens through patience, shared effort, and small victories. It happens when a volunteer gives an hour of their time, when a donor makes a new opportunity possible, and when a student discovers the confidence to try something they once thought impossible.
As Varina puts it, “Horses are magical.”
At The Stables, that magic is made possible by the horses, the people who care for them, and a community that continues to show up, give generously, and believe in the possibilities that can begin with a simple connection.
“We wanted a place where someone who has a disability feels like they don't have a disability,” Roxanne said.