About Our Facility
An idyllic haven for rescued mustangs, our ranch is a true treasure, with its picturesque rolling pastures, enchanting woods, and a gentle stream.
The ranch is a hidden gem on the outskirts of East Charlotte in Mint Hill, NC. It was chosen not only for its convenient location, but most importantly for the lovely rolling pasture, woods, and stream, which provide a natural setting for the rescued mustangs.
Many improvements have been made to the ranch including new fencing, building a barn for the minis, manure composting bins and a hay storage shed. In May of 2022, through a grant from the Lennox Foundation, we completed a new therapy office, with a break room and restroom.
Visits by appointment only please
Mending Hearts,
One Stride at a Time
Mending Strides Ranch is the premier equine-assisted psychotherapy establishment in the Charlotte Metro area, committed to creating a sanctuary for individuals facing the impacts of trauma, abuse, and emotional obstacles. Our approach involves guided experiences with equine-assisted therapies that are specifically tailored to enhance mental well-being, build confidence, and find more joy in life.
Taking Therapy Outside
In 2020 we became aware of the contribution the ranch provided to clients on their healing journey. Over and over, we heard, “It’s so calm here”, “It’s so peaceful here”. This began an exploration on how we might better incorporate nature into sessions.
As societies have evolved and moved to urban settings, they are living lives far removed from our ancestors who were deeply linked with nature, sacred spaces, and other species. Today, Americans spend almost 90% indoors and another 5% in their cars. To encourage our clients to benefit from the healing properties of nature, we utilize the ranch to incorporate these practices into sessions.
Mindfulness the simple act of being fully present in the moment. Many of our clients are depressed (living in the past) or anxious (living in the future). When someone is ruminating we encourage them to take time out to practice mindfulness. One of our favorite practices is called 5-4-3-2-1 in which you take in the environment through your senses. You begin with deep breathing, in through the nose and a longer, slower, exhale through the mouth, to anchor yourself. Then name five things that you see, four things that you can feel or touch, three things that you can hear, two things that you smell and one thing you can taste. Most clients will feel more “present” after this exercise, but it can be repeated until calmness is achieved. This exercise helps clients connect to the space and being in nature provides
Forest Bathing or ShinRin Yoku is the simple and therapeutic act of spending time in a forest. The air in the forest has a higher concentration of oxygen and is also full of phytoncides, natural oils trees give off as part of a defense system, and Mycobacterium Bacchae, a harmless bacteria in the soil. Many studies have shown that forest-bathing can: boost the immune system, increase energy, decrease anxiety, depression and anger, reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Shinrin-yoku is not about hiking or exercising. You may sit or stroll slowly, while involving your senses:
- Listen to forest sounds like the birds and insects.
- Touch the ground, trees, flowers and leaves
- Smell the flowers and other essential oils of the plants and trees.
- Observe the surroundings and scenery
- Taste the crispness of the air
The earth has music for those who will listen.
-George Santanya
Earthing or Grounding simply means reconnecting the conductive human body to the Earth’s natural and subtle surface electric charge, which transfer electrons into your body. Historically, people were more connected to the earth. They spent more time with their feet and bodies directly on the ground. But today, most people have very little direct contact with the earth. As a result, our bodies build up positive static electric charges that can’t be released unless we connect to the ground. Grounding neutralizes those positive charges by absorbing negative electrons to balance you out.
Most studies that have been done on grounding are small, but the results are very encouraging., with evidence showing changes in the body within several minutes of connecting to the ground or a grounding product. Grounding shows promise in reducing inflammation, pain, stress, and improving blood flow, energy and sleep.
There are two basic ways of Earthing: 1)The most common, and free method, is going barefoot or submerging yourself in a natural body of water or 2) indoors, utilizing inexpensive Earthing systems such as conductive mats, pads, body bands, or patches while sleeping.
Sitting on a yoga mat with bare feet touching the earth, practicing mindfulness under the canopy of the trees is a great way to combine all three of these regulating techniques.
