activities · 4
what they do
direct service · 4
- Equine-assisted therapy for mental health Animal-Assisted Therapeutic EnrichmentUses rescued horses and mustangs, including those with PTSD, as therapy animals to support healing in individuals with mental health challenges, particularly veterans. Programs include stress-reduction events like Horse Heart Breathing and targeted interactions to help participants manage PTSD, anxiety, and trauma.
- Public visitation and connection sessions Equine and Livestock Interactive ProgramsHosts free visits for individuals, families, groups, and partner organizations to interact with horses and donkeys at the ranch. Connection sessions are available every Saturday afternoon, and tours are offered to foster human-animal bonds.
- Rescue and rehabilitation of equines and other animals Equine Rescue and RehabilitationRescues and provides long-term care for wild horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, llamas, and horses with physical disabilities or medical conditions, including those at risk of euthanasia. Over the past five years, the organization has rescued more than 40 animals, offering medical treatment and adapted living environments.
- Youth education and engagement programs Youth Equine Education & Camp ProgramsOffers structured youth programs such as Wild Horse Camp and Reading to Horses, which teach children about equine ethology, nutrition, plant identification, animal care, and respect for nature. Includes opportunities for children to read to gentle animals like donkey Charlotte.
strategies · 7
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Animal-assisted therapy using non-equine animals animal-assisted therapyUtilizes non-equine animals, such as a longhorn steer named Drifter, in therapeutic roles to bring joy and emotional relief to visitors through companionship and playful interaction.
- Equine rehabilitation for physical recovery equine rehabilitationApplies specialized treatments including corrective hoof care and myofascial therapy to rehabilitate injured horses, particularly those with tendon issues, to ensure a pain-free and functional life.
- Equine-assisted therapy for trauma and mental health healing equine-assisted therapyUses rescued wild horses, particularly those with histories of trauma, in therapeutic programs that leverage the horses' sensitivity to human emotions to help veterans, children, and survivors of PTSD, anxiety, and stress disorders process inner turmoil and achieve emotional regulation.
- Experiential and animal-assisted education for youth experiential educationOffers hands-on educational programs like Wild Horse Camp and reading sessions with rescued animals to teach children about nature and animal respect while fostering emotional connection and comfort for both children and animals.
- Mutual healing model through sentient human-animal connection mutual healing through human-animal interactionOperates on the belief that horses are sentient beings attuned to human emotional needs, and that structured interactions provide reciprocal therapeutic benefits—supporting both humans suffering from trauma and horses recovering from abuse or injury.
- Therapeutic human-equine interaction through physical and sensory engagement therapeutic human-equine interactionEmploys simple physical interactions such as stroking, walking with horses, or multi-sensory protocols like "Horse Heart Breathing" to reduce blood pressure, calm the nervous system, and support stress reduction in participants.
- Wild horse sanctuary with natural behavioral freedom wild horse sanctuaryProvides a free-roaming, natural environment where rescued wild horses can live as mustangs, preserving their innate behaviors and supporting their physical and psychological recovery.
named programs · 9
what they call their work
Donkey Connections
An activity at the ranch where individuals, especially children, connect with donkeys.
Horse Heart Breathing (HHB)
A method incorporating all senses in a learning protocol to reduce stress and anxiety through interaction with therapy horses.
Journey Walk
Participants walk with a horse along a path to a Medicine Wheel and Labyrinth, engaging in a reflective experience.
Mustang Trails
Participants guide horses through an obstacle course, focusing on communication and trust.
Myofascial Therapy for Iris
Provides specialized myofascial therapy and corrective shoeing for a horse born with tendon laxity, with the goal of training her as a therapy horse.
Reading to Horses
A program where children read to horses and donkeys, fostering connection and providing comfort for both the children and animals.
Walking With Equus
Participants work with a horse, walking it along a path, focusing on communication and connection.
Wild Horse Camp
An educational series for children focused on respecting animals and nature, with an emphasis on equine science and interactions with animals.
Wild Horses for Heroes
Provides a safe haven for veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues to work with horses and reclaim their lives.
relationships · 6
who they work with
- Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Partner — Gifted Sidewinder to Wild Horse Haven Rescue for use in therapeutic programs.
- Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Partner — Gifted the horse Sidewinder to Wild Horse Haven Rescue.
- Bur Oak Veterinary, Sports Medicine and Lameness Partner — Provided video consultations regarding treatment plans for horses.
- GCRC Partner — Hosted clients from GCRC for visits to connect with horses.
- Tad Dryden Partner — Farrier and Equine Myofascial therapist who donates time to provide corrective shoes and myofascial treatments for horses.
- The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary Partner — Sidewinder, a notable mustang at Wild Horse Haven, began his life as part of a wild herd at this sanctuary.