Site fully Updated (all pages) Jan. 3, 2010

Happy New Year from the Divinity Farm Family!

                        Maria A. Hurley  & Lacrim'e

Divinity Farm's  true belief is "It's all about the Relationship"

What is Divinity Farm.  Divinity Farm represents Maria A. Hurley, her home, the horses she owns, her children and Family. Divinity Farm is located in Groveland, MA, the town over from Haverhill, Georgetown and W. Newbury, Massachusetts. Divinity Farm has been in existance for 8 years. Maria Hurley formely of Melrose/Saugus, MA.   As Professional Ma. Licensed Riding Instructor with 38 years of equine experience.  You will learn  the enjoyment, safety, knowledge of Horsemanship, Equine Education and riding lessons. My goals are for youths and people of interest to develop and improve scholarship, leadership and community interest and participation of young horsemen and of all ages. Offering both indoor and outdoor riding programs at extemely affordable prices.

Maria's Programs Offer a variety of education:  Horsemanship, lessons & training     All ages and disciplines welcome.     English, Western Reining     Indoor/Outdoor riding available/. Specialty Clinics, such as vaulting, round penning ground training and much, much more.  My programs are suited to meet each individuals needs & Goals. evaulations are conducted periodically and lessons are specifically suited to meet the needs and goal of the individual.  Horse are available for every dicipline. Divinity works with individuals with their own mounts as well, again specifically suited for their needs and goals.  By continuing education on our part, Divinity is able to continue to pass on the education.  Maria herself continues to deepen her relationship with all her own horses, as well as the horses she works with, and with her students personal horses.  I continue my own equine educational plan by weekly lessons in dressage and hunt seat.  I also ride in the western dicipline.

For New Updates go click on the "Recent Updates" Link

Divinity has opeining for riding lessons indoor and outdoor lessons available  People helping people with horses, that's what we do, stay tuned!!

Barbara Smith, Occupational Therapist, working with Angelica& Heidi,  doing Hippotherapy at Divinity Farm.  See horseot.com

Once in a while, a person comes into one's life who is a true Teacher - someone who not only embodies the wisdom of what they are dedicated  to passing on, but one who also commits themselves to demonstrating and sharing the value of that wisdom with others.  (from a student of Divinity)

Thank you for visiting our  Website. As an up-to-date Recreational Facility, we want to give you the opportunity to stay in touch with our online Equestrian Center and our Services. A new content management system will enable us to always keep you up to date.

In the meantime you can reach us at 781-771-1565 We are looking forward to hearing from you. You can also contact us at our e-mail address: mariahurley@divinityfarm.com.

If you are not familiar with us and your first contact with me/us is online: We would be pleased to hear from you! Please let us know what your needs and questions are, we will be more than happy to help. We travel locally and teach at various equine facilities on the North Shore of Boston, southern New Hampshire, both indoor and outdoor facilities are available. 

In brief, you should know the following about us: We are a friendly & Fun Equine Information web site, with our emphasis on Safety with horses 1st! Our Instructors are well established & experienced in many levels and disciplines of Horsemanship and have been responsible for providing outstanding education & knowledge of Horsemanship & Hippotherapy. Including, but not limited to all disciplines, gymkana, English,(all seats) & Western. Also all our Instructors have therapeutic  experience & backgrounds with certifications. Therapeutic Riding:Experience (but not limited to)

-Brain Injuries
-Anxiety
-ADD/ADHD
-Disorders on the Autism Spectrum
-Asperger Syndrome
-PDD
-Depression
-Low Self Esteem
-OCD
-Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
-Executive Function Disorder
-Language/Speech Disorders
-Nonverbal Learning Disorder
-Down Syndrome/MD
-Those Recovering from Addiction

What is Hippotherapy? Hippotherapy is a treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse; from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse. Specially trained physical, occupational and speech therapists use this medical treatment for clients who have movement dysfunction. Historically, the therapeutic benefits of the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC. The use of the horse as therapy evolved throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.

Hippotherapy uses activities on the horse that are meaningful to the client. Treatment takes place in a controlled environment where graded sensory input can elicit appropriate adaptive responses from the client. Specific riding skills are not taught (as in therapeutic riding), but rather a foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can then be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.

Why the Horse?

The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. The variability of the horse's gait enables the therapist to grade the degree of sensory input to the client, then use this movement in combination with other clinical treatments to achieve desired results. Clients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable learning experience in a natural setting.

Physically, hippotherapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function. Hippotherapy may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions for clients of all ages. Clients who may benefit from hippotherapy can have a variety of diagnoses: examples include Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities. However, hippotherapy is not for every client. Each potential client must be evaluated on an individual basis by specially trained health professionals.

The basis of our riding instruction is dressage which is the basis of all our training. Our regular client's & Student's particularly value this fact. Our horses & ponies are specifically trained for their purpose all lessons and levels.

Maria A. Hurley, Divinity Creations,  Web Designer for Divinity Farm.com