How Our Story Began
Mending Strides Ranch is a sanctuary that provides for the well-being of people and equines alike. It is a serene oasis in Mint Hill, NC that is surrounded by acres of natural beauty.
One can’t help but feel protected by the covering of trees, peaceful from the chirping birds, and at ease by the gardens. The dream of what is now Mending Strides Ranch began when Maria Hogge, Founder and Executive Director, fell in love with horses at the age of five. She dreamt of having a horse of her own from this young age and delighted in caring for her pony when that dream became reality four years later. The bond between the two was powerful. So powerful that Maria’s life work would be focused around melding her desire to create a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures and helping people overcome traumatic life experiences and life challenges. Ultimately this love affair would result in opening Mending Strides Ranch in 2019 with the mission of providing a space for the well-being of those struggling with the effects of trauma, abuse and emotional challenges using guided experiences with equine assisted therapies.
Growing Strides
Learning to recognize what horses need, how they think and communicate, and how to partner with them in activities is the basis for building a strong relationship. Learning these skills can help “Grow” confidence and self-esteem and will transfer to help form better human relationships.
Teen Topics
Navigating the teen years can be stressful and scary. This therapist led program for teens will cover common struggles and provide them with DBT skills to manage difficult situations like handling anxiety and navigating relationships.
Therapy
Through experiential activities with the horses, clients may work on anxiety and stress reduction, trust and relationship issues, emotional regulation, self-acceptance, impulse control, etc.
Confident Strides
This course was created for individuals desiring to live more confidently and experience higher self-esteem. Through education and activities with the horses, participants will explore the origins of self-esteem
Courageous Strides
This program for Veterans teaches participants how to connect with and work with horses on the ground and apply horsemanship principles to relationships and everyday life.
Serene Strides
Are you unsure how you will cope with the additional responsibilities that holidays add to your plate? Join us for this 3 part series to learn coping skills to manage the additional stress and enjoy this holiday season.
Hanging With the Herd
This free, one hour session generally occurs from 12 – 1 pm on the first Wednesday of the month and is offered to adults. It is a time to relax, meet our horses and hear their rescue stories, groom and just chill with your peers.
Capable Strides
This is an opportunity for older teens and adults to volunteer by taking care of the horses.
Empowered Strides Summer Camp
This fun camp for girls 10-14 years old focuses on empowering girls to confidently try new experiences, to persevere through challenges and to be compassionate to themselves during the learning process.
People Treated
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6 Benefits of Equine-Assistance Therapy
Improved Confidence
Successfully navigating the tasks involved with Equine-Assisted Therapy helps instill a sense of resilience and achievement among participants, which boosts their confidence.
Better Communication Skills
Working with horses encourages non-verbal communication, such as body language and subtle emotional cues, that improves communication skills with others.
Trust
Participants learn to build a bond with the horses based on trust and mutual respect, which carries over to other areas of their life.
Connection
Building a relationship with a horse requires trust, patience, and mutual respect. Through these interactions, individuals can develop skills for building and maintaining healthy connections with others in their life.
Growth
Through regular interactions with horses and the therapeutic process, individuals may gain insights into their strengths, values, and personal identity to help them grow as a person.
Self-Acceptance
Interacting with horses in a therapeutic setting creates a safe and supportive environment where individuals can feel accepted and valued for who they are.
What People Are Saying
Penny Hill
2024-05-16
A wonderful place to gain confidence and manage anxiety in a peaceful setting. The staff is very compassionate and experienced in equine therapy. I highly recommend their programs for adults and children.
Jack Miller
2024-04-26
I am a Veteran who took a course to manage my anxiety and stress. Maria was awesome in training me to work with horses and learn about methods to relax and manage daily events. When I arrived, a calm took over and I spent the next 60-90 minutes enjoying what I learned and my time with the horses. It is a great place to be.
Paul Michelow
2024-04-25
My daughter absolutely loves spending time here! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love for horses with others! I can see my daughter's self confidence grow with every visit!
Marvin Sobodash
2024-04-25
Mending Strides Ranch is an outstanding facility that provides a real benefit to individuals with mental health needs in a very unique way. As a former volunteer I’ve seen first hand the outstanding work that Maria and her staff do. Anyone who knows someone with these needs should explore how Mending Strides might be able to help.
Donna Miller
2024-04-24
I highly recommend participating in any of the programs offered at Mending Strides. Maria and all the staff are excellent teachers and accommodating to all skill levels and needs.
Kerry Q
2024-04-24
I visited Mending Strides Ranch as part of an open house to see what was offered to the community. I found such a beautiful location with caring people, wonderfully taken care of animals, and resources for people of all ages.
I can't recommend Mending Strides Ranch enough for anyone looking for healing, hope and calm. What a beautiful resource to have right in our community!
Sara Barnhill
2024-04-05
Mending Strides Ranch is a sanctuary where healing begins. Maria's warmth and professionalism immediately put me at ease.
My visit to this remarkable ranch left an indelible mark, transcending mere recreation to a profound journey of self-discovery.
George Rodriguez
2024-02-07
Mending Stride Ranch is a great place to build self-confidence by being out in nature with horses. There are mustangs, mini-horses, and one donkey that help with equine therapy. Mending Stride Ranch has programs to build self-awareness to help work through traumatizing experiences using therapy horses. The therapy horses are amazing at what they do. I am very happy to have met Maria and her horses. If taking one of the offered classes isn't for you, you can volunteer at the ranch. A volunteer helps out in the morning or afternoon, consisting of cleaning out the barns, preparing hay bags, and cleaning up the tack room. I have been volunteering for several months, and it's totally worth it. You are outside in nature with horses. If this is what you like doing, volunteer.
J L
2023-04-14
I think this is a great organization thats provides the help so many need. I will hopefully become a volunteer to be a part of such an amazing nonprofit organization.
My family loves animals and volunteering so this is the perfect place to volunteer if you're an animal lover like we are.
