Northern
By Debbie Orme
Notes
Music
‘ Horsing about ' in the Glens of Antrim
The stunning backdrop to Glenview Farm.
Jane ‘chatting’ to one of her equine friends
Nestled in the Glens of Antrim and set against a background of rolling green fields and Slemish Mountain sits the picturesque venue of Glenview Farm in Carnalbana. While the farm is currently closed due to the pandemic, it provides the perfect outdoor location for grandparents and grandchildren to spend quality time having fun and enjoying spectacular views. ‘The farm has been in the family since the early 1900s,’ current owner – and fourth generation farm owner - Jane Magee tells me. ‘Dad was born and raised here and a few years ago I inherited it.’ ‘I grew up just half a mile from the family farm. My two great uncles and my granny lived on the farm, so it’s just lovely to see new life being brought into it. I thought my dad might have been somewhat nervous about me taking it over but he has been so supportive. For me it’s much more than a business, it’s preserving a way of life – the farm was lying derelict for about seven years before I got it. The local community have also been so supportive about the venture, not only does it bring life to the area but offers the local young people a place to volunteer, as well as ride.’ ‘I’m a country girl through and through - everyone who arrives here is blown away by the scenery and I totally understand that. I’ve lived throughout the world and have been privileged to travel but have chosen to come back here to live. Sometimes you forget the beauty that’s on our doorstep and it’s that aspect that strikes people first – the peace and serenity, just getting the space and freedom to be able to connect
with themselves and with nature and with the horses. Taking time out of everyday schedules to recharge.’ One of the main aspects of Glenview Farm is that it not only provides ‘time out’ for adults and children alike, but it also provides an invaluable therapy for all ages: equine-assisted learning. ‘Although we enjoy providing riding lessons for adults and children alike,’ says Jane, ‘we also aim to provide an innovative yet proven learning experience with our equine partners to accelerate transformational change. The farm provides loads of opportunities for participants to connect with both our horses and with the natural environment and, in doing so, we encourage them to connect with themselves, others and the world they live in. Equine Assisted learning is done from the ground, is non-riding and participants don’t need prior horse experience.’ ‘I’ve always been involved in horses,’ she continues, ‘but I’ve also spent my working life as a teacher. While I was working with young people in inner city Dublin, I saw how nurturing it was for young people from the inner city to visit a riding school in the middle of the estate. It was such an escape for them. Then, when I was on a career break in Australia, I saw equine-assisted learning in operation and was intrigued and impressed by the results. I came home and trained in Co. Wicklow, and then, when I inherited the family farm, opening an equestrian centre was the logical thing to do. It allowed me to combine my love of horses with my love for people. It was a natural blend.’ Senior Times l March - April 2021 l www.seniortimes.ie 63
