Where Humans, Horses, And Nature come Together
Welcome to all who look for continued growth!
Elm Farm Learning Center strives to bring humans, horses, and nature together to build community, wellness, and learning opportunities to people in the Monadnock Region and beyond.
Our Story and Mission
Elm Farm Learning Center was founded by Erin Ballard and Iria Doescher to create a space where horses, humans, and nature come together to support meaningful learning, personal growth, and community connection. Located on 14 acres of the historic Elm Farm in Keene, New Hampshire. Our center builds on the legacy of the previous organization who occupied this space, while expanding access to equine-facilitated learning for a wider and more diverse community.
We offer transformative equine-facilitated programs for individuals, children, families, schools, and support groups, along with high-quality equine boarding (check out our boarding section to learn more)! Our programs are designed to encourage reflection, build real-world skills, and support social and emotional growth through hands-on experiences with horses and nature. Horses are not tools in our work — they are respected members of our team, and their wellbeing is central to everything we do.
Elm Farm Learning Center is guided by the values of Reflection, Community, Growth, Wellness, Friendship, and Compassionate Care — for both our human participants and our equine partners. We believe learning happens best in environments that feel safe, welcoming, and connected to the natural world.
As a community-focused organization, we prioritize collaboration with local schools, organizations, and families, including partnerships with groups such as The Craft School at Mill Hollow Works. Through these relationships, we aim to make equine-facilitated learning and quality horse care more accessible and affordable, while fostering a strong sense of belonging.
Our mission is simple: to create a supportive, inclusive environment where people and horses can learn, grow, and thrive together.
Our Mission:
To hold a space of reflection, growth, and connection- where the unique bond between humans and horses inspires personal transformation, lifelong learning, and community resilience.
Our Team
Erin Ballard
Erin Ballard is co-owner of Elm Farm Learning Center, driven by a passion for equine management and connecting horses and people. She manages farm operations and co-facilitates programs that support our values.
Co-Founder, Barn Manager, Head Facilitator 
Iria Doescher
Iria Doescher is co-owner of Elm Farm Learning Center, with a passion for creating meaningful programs that mindfully connect people, horses, and nature. She manages administration and communications while expanding access and opportunity.
Co- Founder, Administration, Head Facilitator To learn more about the team, please select “Full Team” to meet everyone
Program and farm support Volunteer Support
Our volunteers are at the heart of Elm Farm Learning Center, helping operate programs and support the care and well-being of our horses. Their time and dedication make it possible to create meaningful, connected experiences for all who come to the farm.
Featured Programs
Individual/Small Group Private Sessions
$75/Hour Private Sessions
Retreats and Workshops
Prices Vary
Equine Facilitated Programs
Prices with selected programs
Explore what we offer
Boarding
$500 per Month per horse
Click here to learn more about equine boarding availability.
Rental Space
Rent our space for private events, weekly reserved times for business, birthday parties…etc.
Birthday parties ~ $250 (90 min) with listed additions to space
Barn Rental Fee with property use ~ Hourly $90
Farm Space (property only) ~ Hourly $25
Where Knowledgable Care Meets Compassionate Horsemanship
At Elm Farm Learning Center, we offer reliable, knowledgeable boarding designed to give owners peace of mind while honoring the health and comfort of every horse.
What We Offer:
24/7 Turn out
2 Run-in sheds
2 emergency stalls
Grain
Giving medications, supplements, dewormer
Shavings
Hay
Clean Water
Blanket/Fly gear changes
Holding and scheduling for vet/farrier
14 Acres of pasture paddocks
Equine participation in our programs
Horses are active partners in our programs, not tools. We work closely with owners to ensure each horse participates in ways that align with their comfort and care, whether that involves grooming, groundwork, or optional riding.
Horses are only asked to participate in 1-3 sessions per week, with sessions last 30 min - 1 hour.
Meet Our Equine Partners
Our equine partners are a huge part of who we are and what "we do.”
The horses at Elm Farm are chosen for their temperament, lifestyle and ability to thrive in a herd setting. Compassionate care is a cornerstone of our mission, and every horse is carefully vetted to ensure a good fit for both the programs and the equines themselves. We make it a priority to meet the horses’ needs just as much as the participants- as when our partners are thriving, it allows the space for participants and those alike to thrive and grow.
Meet Findlay!
Findlay is an 11 year old registered quarter horse who arrived at Elm Farm several years ago due to being unable to stay comfortable long term with the job he was being asked to do. However, he is now owned and continued to be loved by one of our volunteer staff and their family.
Findlay is known for his goofy personality, kind temperament, and steady, calm energy. He is one of our go-to equine partners for our programs!
Meet Faith!
Faith is a 20 year old OTTB (off-the-track thoroughbred) mare. She came to Elm several years ago as she couldn’t remain physically comfortable doing the job she was originally purchased for from her original owner. With that said though, she makes an incredible ground work program horse.
Her compassion, patience, wisdom, and kindness makes her an especially wonderful support system for many of our participants looking for a calm and quiet equine friend.
Meet Ripley!
Ripley is the newest addition of our herd, having arrived in November of 2025.
Ripley is a 20 year old registered quarter horse, and as sweet as can be.
He has a western/trail riding background, which helped him transition into the work that we do with our participants at the barn.
You can often find him following the staff around during chore time, as he loves to be “in the know” as to what the humans are up to (and maybe they have some treats as well!)
If you would like to meet this wonderful and kind gentleman, please reach out to schedule a time or pop by the farm!
Our Farm and Collaborators
Nestled in Keene, NH, lies a historical property dating back to the 1770’s as an original home stead property. Once housing a cottage, that has since been destroyed, but what remains is the old barn and land.
This farm is a 36 acre property that has had lots of lives since its foundation. What most locals remember being a pick-your-own berry farm, a cattle farm, and then becoming a research center for liberty elm trees that were once endangered due to a pest in the area.
Since then, it now houses several business organizations, including our collaborators Mill Hollow Works Craft School, and the community greenhouse that they also manage.
Craft School Mill Hollow Works is a heritage craft school that teach a wide range of classes from wood working, boat making, basket weaving, and so much more. Their 3 core values include having A Sense of Self, A Sense of Place, and a Sense of Connection (to our community, region, and planet). To learn more about our awesome collaborators please visit their website at millhollowworks,org or https://millhollowworks.org/
At E.F.L.C., we are thrilled to be collaborators with MHW and to have their support on our journey.
For more information on The Craft School Mill Hollow Works, please visit their website at millhollowworks.org
Schedule a time with us
Ready to take the reins and schedule your visit? Let’s make sure you’re all set for a fantastic experience with our horses and programs — simply choose a time that works best for you, and we'll handle the rest for a seamless booking process!
