In partnership with Somatic Equine Therapy Initiative (SETI), participants connect with the whole herd through horsemanship, grooming, groundwork, and everyday care. Each horse brings a different temperament and pace, creating room to practice responsibility, build confidence, and find purpose together.
Our current equestrian program takes place four days a week at a Kamas ranch, in partnership with Somatic Equine Therapy Initiative (SETI), with Todd Whitehead leading the program.
Participants take part in supervised horse care and ranch activities, including grooming, feeding, groundwork, horsemanship, and helping with the horses’ day-to-day care. These steady routines offer meaningful ways to contribute, practice patience and responsibility, and build positive connections with horses and people.
Every horse has a different personality and pace. With guidance from SETI, participants can learn to notice, respond, and build trust one step at a time. The future campus equestrian center is still a vision; the work described here is happening now at the ranch.
Working with horses is made up of small moments: a brush moving slowly across a coat, noticing a horse’s response, or learning when to pause. These activities help participants practice attention, communication, responsibility, and teamwork.
Grooming offers a hands-on way to practice care and awareness.Groundwork and grooming make room for steady practice and trust.Each horse brings a different way to connect with people and the herd.
SETI offers horsemanship instruction and confidence-building activities. Its services are not licensed psychotherapy or clinical mental-health treatment.
A Different Way to Ride Together
My Spirit Horse, Romeo
After my accident, I was told I might never be able to ride horses again. The thought of not riding Romeo, my spirit horse, has been heartbreaking.
But Romeo has found a new purpose. He is now part of the Do Hard Things equestrian program, where he helps people experience the comfort, connection, and confidence horses can bring. He has become a star in our therapy groups, and he loves his new job.
I still hope there may be a way for me to ride again someday. For now, seeing Romeo help others gives this part of my story a new meaning.
Terrah and Romeo, sharing a quiet moment.
A Participant’s Experience
Chabree and Romeo
Chabree’s work with Romeo is one example of what can happen when participants have time to care for horses, learn new skills, and discover where their strengths can take them.
We welcome conversations with prospective donors, volunteers, and community partners who want to understand this work firsthand. Contact us to ask about arranging a ranch visit, meeting the SETI herd, and exploring how your support can help create more opportunities.
Visits require advance arrangements and ranch permission and depend on schedules, privacy, and safety. Please do not arrive unannounced.
Interested in visiting, volunteering, partnering, or supporting the equestrian initiative? Reach out directly to Todd or Terrah. Ranch visits are by advance arrangement only.
Your support can help with horse care, ranch supplies, supervised activities, and thoughtful growth of the initiative. Give, volunteer, explore sponsorship, or connect us with a community partner.
