WARRIOR RANCH FOUNDATION INC

Warrior Ranch Foundation Inc (“Warrior Ranch”) was founded in 2016 to enable America’s Heroes to rescue America’s Icons. America’s Heroes are US veterans, first responders and their families. America’s Icons are troubled horses. Warrior Ranch has two programs that, when combined, enable rehabilitation of both Heroes and Icons, giving a second chance to both human and horse. Warrior Ranch Foundation envisions a world where veterans and rehabilitated horses realize their productive future in society.

First, we provide equine assisted learning (EAL) to US veterans and first responders suffering from symptoms of post-traumatic stress by teaching them natural horsemanship. Participants learn the nature of horses and how to communicate with them via body language. Participants attend clinics and workshops where they learn from a Warrior Ranch equine expert how to work with horses in a number of capacities. The interaction activities begin with non-riding activities such as grooming and leading, and then progress through ground exercises and obstacle courses. For those wishing to continue, the program then expands interaction techniques to include carriage driving, riding and roping.

Through our workshops, participants develop bonds with the horses, gain self-awareness, confidence, and self-esteem. They overcome fears and begin to trust themselves again, as well as others. By giving guidance to the horse, they demonstrate leadership to themselves and the horses. The benefits to the participants include companionship with the horse, lower stress levels, and a release of oxytocin, the “happy” hormone.

Next, Warrior Ranch adopts and rehabilitates troubled horses, making them fit to return home or fit for adoption. These horses experienced traumas that cause them to be in permanent “flight” mode, as if running from a predator. A life of constant stress leaves them with heightened senses, distrustful, highly reactionary, leaderless. Warrior Ranch retrains them, provides them with the leadership and consistency of behavioral expectations that the horse is looking for as a herd animal. Our training methods enable the horses to overcome certain fears and regain trust in humans. They are physically exercised regularly and socialize more effectively with the rest of the herd.

These two programs synergistically provide the desired benefits to both hero and icon. Warrior Ranch’s natural horsemanship techniques are consistently applied to both programs. Program participants are taught the same techniques used to rehabilitate the horses. Once rehabilitated, the horses are used in the EAL workshops. Both hero and icon benefit, generating an emotional connection and strengthening the relationship between them. The benefits reach beyond the ring to their relationships with others.

Our workshops start with an introduction to Warrior Ranch and EAL techniques, including background on the nature of horses, and what to expect throughout the day. Once in the arena, focusing on safety, each behavior technique is demonstrated. The participants are then broken out into groups of no more than three and work with our Coaches to practice the behaviors individually with the horse. After all participants have practiced successfully, the entire group comes back together and discusses results and experiences. As the participants progress, more advanced behaviors are demonstrated and practiced.

Warrior Ranch accommodates all levels of participant. Beginners are as welcome as the experienced horse person because the value to the participant is learning and practicing the coping strategies, mindfulness, trust, respect and communication required in the arena.

Warrior Ranch brings together a number of experts to support program activities to ensure the safety of the participants, the horses, and the Warrior Ranch staff. In addition to the equine experts, mental health consultants and security consultants are available throughout the workshops. While the equine experts focus on the arena activities, the mental health consultant is on hand to support anyone needing emotional support. They continually observe for PTS triggers and behaviors that could pose a threat to everyone involved.