ABOUT H.O.P.E Ridge Acres

At H.O.P.E Ridge Acres we combine our love of helping people and the love of horses. We fell in love with the magic these horses could perform in helping individuals with various mental health issues, and how much they teach us about ourselves. The H.O.P.E in HOPE Ridge means 'Horses Open People's Eyes'.

DISCOVER what is getting in the way and keeping you stuck.

EXPERIENCE your own wisdom, as reflected by the horses.

CONNECT with the patience, kindness, and forgiveness of horses.

"Thats what learning is...You suddenly understand something you understood your whole life, but in a new way."

              -Doris Lessing

H.O.P.E Ridge is committed to providing a relaxing, down home atmostphere to facilitate the best learning and growing environment possible. Equine assisted learning is not about riding or horsemanship- so if you know nothing about horses you are PERFECT for our program. Nearly 90% of all activities are on the ground. The only requirement is that you dress appropriately for working with the horses in an outdoor setting.

Working with horses breaks down barriers much faster than traditional counseling for many reasons. Horses are living, breathing beings that are very large and powerful. This creates the perfect environment for gaining self confidence by working with them. Horses are unique and individual, just like people. They have likes, dislikes, friends, and moods. And being they are animals of prey they are much more aware of their environment - and our body language. This allows them to openly respond to attitudes and feelings that we try to hide.

"Show me your horse...and I will tell you who you are"      Old English Saying

Horses also have unconditional honesty and are not judgemental. They dont care if you are black, white, purple or green. This is so healing for many people who have disabilities, disfigurements, or some other abnormality that society doesnt accept.

" The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man"     -Winston Churchill

When working with the horses you will notice that what works with one horse will not always work with all of them. This forces us to change our behaviors to accomplish working with them, and in turn teaches us about our own attitudes and behaviors toward people.(Especially the ones we don't realize) This is where the growth and learning comes in, and our horses are the best at pointing out the areas that need to be worked on. Sure, learning about ourselves can be painful at times but when we take that step and move ahead it is worth it!!!

"Dont be afraid of growing, be afraid rather of standing still!"

                     ~Anonymous