Welcome

Name: Open Heart Ranch Natural Horsemanship & Therapeutic Riding
Telephone: 336-408-0054

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Open Heart Ranch

Natural Horsemanship & Therapeutic Riding

We at Open Heart Ranch are committed to providing a safe and positive learning environment for our students. Through Natural Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding, students will enhance their physical fitness and emotional well being. Horses are one of God's greatest creations, Therapeutic by God's design. Horses can sense who we are, and how much Love and Leadership we have to offer. Horses don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Horses strive to please their leader out of Heart and Desire. As Helen Keller said, "The Most Beautiful Things in the World cannot be Seen or Touched they must be Felt with the HEART." We welcome you to mosey through our site to meet the herd and see what we have to offer.

Home: Welcome

Let's Get Acquainted

Hello

My name is Melisa Carter/Owner, Instructor at Open Heart Ranch. I worked for WS/FCS system for 25 years and retired in 2018. I was an Adapted Physical Education Teacher working with individuals with special needs. God gave me a Passion for Teaching and Horses; now with Open Heart Ranch is allowing me the opportunity to share my knowledge and abilities with a wide variety of students. My experience working with special needs students and knowledge of Horses makes for a perfect combination Therapeutic Horsemanship and Riding. My love for Horses started at a very young age and I never lost the excitement that Horse can bring to your life.

I've had the privilege to enjoy Horses for most of my life. I have my own Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding library: videos, books and a desire to share my knowledge. I'm proud to say I'm a Level 3 Horsemanship student working toward my Level 4 Parelli Natural Horsemanship Certification. I say student, because Horsemanship and Teaching is a never ending journey, seeking knowledge and techniques to strengthen my relationship with horses and share with individuals.

The Ranch

Open Heart Ranch has been in operation since 2015. We have 8 acres with a riding arena, round pen, 5 stall barn, horse playground and trails. The herd is made up of 4 Quarter Horses, 1 Paint and 3 Miniature Horses; most of the horses are rescues. There are also 5 barn cats and 3 dogs.

Our Mission Statement

At Open Heart Ranch we are committed to guiding and supporting you on your horsemanship journey while providing a safe, fun and progressive environment that will challenge and enhance your physical, mental and emotional well being while developing a relationship with horses through Love, Language & Leadership.

Home: About

Meet The Herd

Captain

Angel

Zoie

Peanut

Little Man

Fancy, Dazzle & Boots

Home: Inventory

Barn Information

Home: FAQ

Dress Code for Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding.

Visitors/Volunteers: Closed toe shoes...tennis shoes are not recommended...NO flops or sandals...sunscreen and bug spray.
Riders: Long hair tied back, Long pants, Sturdy shoes with a heel (preferably boots), No baggy shirt or pants, Helmets required (provided), may bring your own.

Individual participants and Volunteers for Horsemanship activities?

Each person will be required to fill out two forms:
Information/Health form
Liability/Release form
These forms will be provided to you when booking group session or at the ranch upon your arrival for a session. All forms must be filled out and signed before session can begin.

Volunteer & Brighten Someone's Day

Our program cannot exist without caring individuals to assist our students in all aspects of their sessions. Our volunteers will have direct contact with riders and horses during group/individual sessions. No horse experience needed-just a desire to learn and help! We will provide an orientation which will provide all necessary information to become a successful volunteer.

Sidewalker: Provide emotional & physical support for our riders. Engaging with the riders, providing a Safe...Fun...Effective lesson.

Leader: Leads the horse during warm-up and the lesson, continually monitoring the horse and surroundings to ensure the safest lesson possible.

Activities: Assist with students during non-riding activities.

If interested in volunteering, please contact:

Melisa Carter at (336) 408-0054 or savvygirl58@gmail.com

Open Heart Ranch
Natural Horsemanship & Therapeutic Riding

Home: Services

Programs

Horsemanship Lessons

30-60 minute Private Lesson $25.00

Available for ages 5 & Up

Groups Horsemanship Lessons

1 Hour Lesson $20.00/student

Available for ages 8 & Up

4 students/group

Therapeutic Horsemanship Sessions

1/2 Hour Private Session $25.00

Available for ages 5 & Up

Group/School Therapeutic Horsemanship Sessions

1 Hour Sessions (1/2 hr. riding & 1/2 hr Horsemanship activity). $20.00/student

Available for ages 5 & Up

Summer Horsemanship Day Camps

Available for ages 8 & Up

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Horsemanship

Interacting with Horses, whether on the ground or in the saddle, focusing on the Horses Natural Instincts and Herd Dynamics while developing Leadership and Communication skills through the understand of Horse Behavior.

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Therapeutic Horsemanship

Horses are therapeutic in themselves, with the ability to interact with individuals at different developmental stages. Interaction with horses will enhance individuals physical, mental and emotional attributes, whether on the ground or in the saddle. Therapeutic Riding Improves Muscular Strength, Balance & Posture, Muscle Tone, Hand/Eye Coordination, Flexibility, Body Awareness, Concentration, Self Confidence, Independence & Social Skills.

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Horsemanship Day Camps

The Camp Program will focus on SAFETY, HORSEMANSHIP & FUN! Campers will have fun learning about Horse Husbandry (care), Anatomy (parts of horse), Psychology (horse behavior) & Riding. Campers will learn how to responsibly handle horses on the ground as well as in the saddle with safety and confidence. Campers will learn how important it is to be a good leader and partner for horses. Campers activities will consist of fun on the ground, in the saddle, horsey crafts, snacks & social time.

$125.00/student/week

Monday-Friday

8:00-12:00

Beginners- Intermediate

Ages 8 & Up

Dates

June 22-26

July 20-24

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