our services

Horses are special creatures. They are majestic, strong and can display a broad range of emotions. Whether they’re around humans or other horses, they are amazingly communicative and thrive in social settings.

These qualities are part of the reason why horses can develop such a strong bond with humans. The relationship between humans and horses has a long history. As they have evolved and become domesticated, horses became a valuable source of transportation, labor and companionship. With qualities unique to their species, horses have become one of the few mammals that can form a lifelong, mutually beneficial and deep emotional connection with humans.

Using horses as part of an equine therapeutic program has been known to help the individual build confidence, self- efficiency, communication, trust, perspective, social skills, impulse control & regulating emotions and learn boundaries. Horses become the most popular animal to use in animal therapy because they give immediate feedback to the handler or rider’s actions.

This process isn’t formal counseling or therapy—it’s an empowering experience that goes beyond traditional and alternative healing methods.             We work with the whole body…Mind~Body~Spirit connection. 

A child confidently rides a horse outdoors, wearing a helmet and star-patterned jacket.

Hippotherapy

We work with children and teens with a variety of illnesses, mild-physical, cognitive, emotional, and trauma induced challenges, providing enrichment and recreational opportunities that involve interaction with horses. Each session is tailored to fit the client’s needs to achieve personal goals.

Sessions range from 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on concern being addressed. Riding & non-riding is facilitated inside a round pen and leading up to the arena based on individual. Helmets must be worn while riding. We cannot accommodate riders over 170 lbs. or in wheelchairs at this time due to the size & safety of our horses and staff.

Equine-Assisted Learning

EAL focuses on learning rather than treatment, with participants engaging in activities like horse observation and handling to achieve specific goals in a non-judgmental, supportive environment. Horses provide honest, immediate feedback, helping people understand their impact on others and build skills like self-management and trust.

How Horses Help:

  • Horses participate in sessions by facilitating experiential learning. Participants engage in activities that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. The interaction with horses helps individuals learn social and life skills in a hands-on environment.
  • Horses are sensitive animals that respond to human emotions and body language. This responsiveness allows participants to practice non-verbal communication and develop empathy.
  • Sessions often include activities such as grooming, bathing, liberty work, leading, navigating obstacle courses, team-building, problem-solving activities and art & music. These tasks help participants build confidence, leadership, and self-advocacy.
  • Interacting with horses has been shown to have physiological benefits, such as improved heart rate variability and reduced stress levels.
  • We use a science based approach to promote bottom-up regulation and connection.
  • Individual or small groups sessions can be accommodated. One or more horses may be used.  All sessions are non-riding. Individual Sessions last 1 hour to 1 1/2 hours & 2 hours or more for small group.
Two young boys enjoying a book together outdoors on a sunny day, wearing vibrant hats.

“Big H, little h, what begings with H? Hungry horse. Hen in hat. H…h…H…” Dr. Seuss

Roping in Reading

Communication goes far beyond just words and sentences. Effective communication includes understanding the unwritten rules of social interaction—knowing when to speak, how to read facial expressions, how to take turns in conversation, and how to adapt our communication style to different situations and partners. While this can be found in a clinical setting, we take a different approach as we use horses to communicate. We read to horses!

Our Program Addresses:

* Phonemic Awareness

* Decoding

* Vocabulary

* Fluency

* Comprehension and

* Study Skills

As speech therapists and a former teacher, our program has been aligned to Arizona State Standards.

Our program is integrated with  social-emotional skills such as focusing and learning patience, emotional regulation, building confidence & raise self-esteem, and being aware of one’s own learning style. 

We use equine-assisted activities to make learning these skills experiential and engaging. Horses act as partners, and props or toys are used to symbolize reading obstacles, helping students to identify their own barriers to learning. The physical movement and feedback from the horse can impact the cognitive and sensory systems, creating a unique environment for learning and memory retention. 

Our curriculum starts at age 4 and goes to age 13.  We can accommodate some older children that have IEP’s or are below grade level. 

Sessions last 1 – 1 1/2 hours depending on grade level. Children must be potty-trained. Snack included. Individual and small group sessions available-must be at same reading level for group sessions. Riding is not involved.

crosses, clouds, faith, christ, god, jesus, sun, light, nature, sky, crucifixion, resurrection, bible, christianity, church, easter, religion

“Horses are prey animals. Prey animals are constantly vigilant about who or what might hurt them. So the horses are very in tune. They can feel your heartbeat four feet away. They will know you’re if you’re nervous. What’s beautiful about the horses is that they can sense a person’s energy.”

Gallop into Grace

The connection between horses, scriptures, and healing can be understood through the lens of faith-based equine-assisted therapy and a deeper appreciation for the role animals, particularly horses, play in human well-being and spiritual growth.

Our approach includes: 

  • Groundwork and horsemanship skills such as observing & interpreting the horse’s reactions and learn non-verbal communication skills.
  • We use a science based approach to promote bottom-up regulation and connection during our therapy sessions when working with clients.
  • Incorporating faith and spirituality that may include; prayer, Biblical scripture readings, Biblical stories, Short Biblical videos for children
  •  Time spent in reflection may include self journaling, drawing/coloring, art therapy.
  • Focus on health, nutrition, exercise may be included to promote healthy lifestyle.
  • Building relationships, finding acceptance, developing trust.
  • Finding one’s own faith journey.

Sessions last 1 hour or longer. Individual sessions only. This program is suited for ages 8 and up for those struggling with anxiety, depression, home/school issues, trauma related or looking for a connection to God.

Therapist is a certified trauma equestrian coach & holds a certification in ministry. No licensed counselors are present at this time. 

 

*Insurance is not accepted for any equine related programs. 

  Natural 

           Lifemanship  ~ Is a research based therapeutic model and guiding philosophy that uses the relationship between humans and horses to help people heal from trauma and build healthy, connected relationships in all areas of their lives.  This approach uses horses to build a partnership based on mutual respect, trust, and willing cooperation, while applying the science of relationships, attachment theory, and neurobiology to an experiential setting with horses. 

While NL is a Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) method, we use either Trauma-Informed-Equine Assisted Therapy (TI-EAT) or Trauma-Informed-Equine Assisted Learning (TI-EAL) when providing sessions. 

This approach can include:   

  • Guided breathing techniques & mindfulness 
  • Building relationships through connection, attachment and detachment
  • Somatic Techniques
  • Drumming
  • Rhythmic riding
  • Scientific foundations in neurobiology 
  • Trauma-informed care and more…

We Support the Following Using NL Therapies:

~Negative healing belief systems

~Depression

~Anxiety & related issues

~Emotional trauma

~ADD/ADHD

~Neglect and/or abuse

~School Issues

~Peer Pressure

~Sudden loss & accidents/illnesses

 

NL can be intertwined in many of our other therapeutic programs and can accommodate all ages. 

Most sessions start at 1 1/2 hours depending on intensity of session

Therapist is dual-certified in TI-EAT, TI-EAL, Hippotherapy, is a licensed Speech Therapist, Holistic Health Practitioner, holds a certification in Ministry, Neurofeedback/Biofeedback Therapy and others. We are not licensed counselors and do not take insurance.