ADAMS, Mass. — What began as a dispute between neighboring property owners has escalated into a prolonged conflict spanning multiple town boards and departments, leading Aisling Mountain Farm's operators to question whether some officials have overstepped their authority.

 

Farm owner Kathryn Foley purchased the 22-acre property at 185 West Road in 2019 to establish an equestrian facility at the base of Mount Greylock. The farm offers horse boarding and leasing services and, until recently, also provided riding lessons and equine therapy.

 

For several years, Foley and her boyfriend, Christian Rowe, who serves as the farm's estate manager, say they have faced a pattern of harassment, false reporting, and alleged misuse of authority by certain municipal employees. 

 

These actions have been compounded by a separate dispute with the company that constructed the riding arena over unforeseen permitting requirements, which have interfered with the farm's ability to provide some of its services, resulting in the closure of its animal-assisted psychotherapy services and riding lessons. 

 

"I have done everything to try to work quietly with the town, with the company … I am not about causing drama … My whole profession is helping people, and that's all I want to do, and I want to do things right, and I want to do my job the right way for people because that's what they deserve," Foley said. 

 

"It breaks my heart that nobody's getting their services, and the last thing I want to do is create a bunch of extra drama around this."

 

The farm had to sell one of its horses, May, who was frequently used in therapy. Its remaining horses include Guinness, Monty, Asher and Sofie, along with miniature therapy horses Latte and Knick Knack.