So many human illnesses and conditions do not respond to traditional medicine or therapy and thus alternative forms of medicine like massage, herbal and homeopathy,chiropractic, and the relationship with animals (specifically horses and dogs) have grown to fill the deeper needs of people in the search for improved health and well being. Hundreds of documented research studies over the years offers ample evidence that working with horses improves immune function, overall confidence to face life or a handicapping condition, and facilitates improved self esteem and social interaction. Thus, Tranquility Farm Equestrian and Renewal Center’s first and dominant purpose is to establish and administer programs that bring together rescued equines and persons suffering from physical, mental or emotional injury. The relationship between a human and an equine resembles the relationship between close friends or between family members, where each takes care of the other. Equines are intuitive; they respond to human interaction in a way that feels emotional and intelligent. When the relationship is properly developed and maintained, the person feels accepted and needed, and the equine receives the caring attention it requires. Thus, equines provide a symbiotic partnership, offering people a sense of companionship, identification with a social group, opportunity for exercise and strength training, rebuilding of trust in others and confidence in one’s self, and a feeling that someone needs him/her. Tranquility Farm believes that through the application of sound equine educational principles, together with a fundamental understanding of human and equine growth and development, that the physical and emotional needs of both species can be addressed. We believe along with Winston Churchill and other genuine horsemen, that “there is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” which research now substantiates even more clearly.
Tranquility Farm is the creation of our founder and president, Sarah F. Transeau who was born three and one half months premature, weighing one pound, 13 ounces and was predicted to never walk, talk, or have any kind of life. Not only did Sarah survive her prematurity but her mother put her on a horse and started riding lesson before Sarah could even walk. The rest is history, as Sarah grew up to become an able equestrian and fully functioning individual having superlative gifts with horses and teaching children and adults to believe in themselves through the medium of working with horses. Sarah’s experience of becoming more than predicted she would ever be through her work with horses gave her the inspiration to apply her knowledge and experience to the lives of others who had disabilities, illness or other coping problems. Besides her years of experience with horses and thousands of riding lessons, Sarah was formally educated in equine principles at The Guilford Riding School in Guilford, Connecticut. Sarah is certified as a Riding Instructor and Vet Tech Assistant. Sarah has had extensive experience and training in almost every aspect of the horse industry- from teaching riding to handicapped students, to breeding/foaling, Stable Management, trail riding and harness horse racing knowledge. Sarah started Tranquility Farm Stable in the early 90’s and by 2002 had incorporated as a 501(c )(3) nonprofit with the full name of Tranquility Farm Equestrian Education and Renewal Center, Inc. The farm she then owned was only 9 acres, so a 55 acre parcel of land with larger barns and room to grow was purchased in 2004 which is the present location in lovely Thurmont, Maryland at the foot of the beautiful Catoctin Mountains.
Tranquility Farm Equestrian Education and Renewal Center’s main purpose remains to establish and administer programs that bring together rescued equines and persons suffering from physical, mental or emotional injury. It is with this purpose in mind that our founder and non-profit president, Sarah Transeau, established this organization in 1990. Many wonderful horses have been rescued from abusive or neglect situations and either trained for our therapeutic school or transferred to responsible loving owners. The horses that stay in the school have a lifelong home and purpose to help individuals with autism, cancer, deafness, blindness, depression and every difficulty imaginable. We also have a special program for American Vets returning from current or old U.S. wars or conflict areas to help them deal with post trauma issues and say thank you for all these men and women do for our country. For the magnificent equines who have been rescued from neglect, abuse , and even the very floor of the slaughter house, our horses know what it means to begin again, and to regain confidence in living. Thus Tranquility Farm Equestrian continues it’s Mission to help people heal and renew their confidence in living through working with horses who because of their intuitive nature have amazing ability to facilitate this healing and restoration to greater equilibrium.
Though we offer riding lessons to the able-bodied, tranquility farm specializes in individualized lessons and horsemanship for handicapped clients and their families (autism, cancer, MS, depression, and much more) *Tranquility Farm also has a Program designed to help the returning veteran dealing with post trauma issues.
At Tranquility Farm we offer Full Field and Stall Board. This consists of feeding twice a day or as needed by your horse. We use only the finest grains and grow our own organic hay. An Equine Nutritionist visits at least every quarter to body score and make recommendations for each horse. Every paddock has new oak board fencing, Nelson automatic waterers and new, large run in sheds. Horses that board at Tranquility Farm are treated as if they are our own and each horses is checked at least twice daily for condition. Blanketing is available in the winter and we feed a hot bran mash to all horses every Sunday evening in the colder months. We strive to give quality care and every horse here is on Monocacy Equine’s Health Program. We have an excellent farrier who will be happy to give your horse quality workmanship on a regular basis. We have a well equipped Equine First Aid Kit and our staff stays up to date in CPR and First Aid. We also have exercising your horse available should your schedule need a break.
Our lessons are taught by Sarah Transeau, our resident Instructor and Founder of Tranquility Farm. Along with traditional horsemanship, each student is dealt with individually with a curriculum designed to meet individual specific needs. Respect, the dignity of each rider and horse plus making the lessons fun and enjoyable are established goals for every client. Children and adults are able to grow significantly in this individualized atmosphere. We start children with horses as young as age two.
The lifeblood of any nonprofit lies in the strength and heart of its volunteers. We have wonderful , sincere and competent people from all walks of life who generously give of their time and talents to the farm and horses so that many people can benefit from Tranquility Farm. Please consider joining our team of Volunteers for an exciting wonderful way to benefit your fellow man. You will be amazed at how much you will benefit yourself! Your skills are needed at tranquility farm as a horseman, office worker, public relations person, grant writer, maintenance worker, plumber, electrician, carpenter, farming skills- no talent is wasted here.
High School students may earn community service hours by Volunteering at Tranquility Farm and we have an Internship Program available for those students who are planning to make farming or horses their career. We would love to have you join this lovely and talented group of people.