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.
Caregiver Wellness Circle
Give yourself the care you give others. Mending Stride’s Caregiver Wellness Circle offers a welcoming space to breathe, recharge, and reconnect through mindfulness, meaningful conversation, practical tools, and interactions with horses. Reduce stress, build resilience, restore balance, and rediscover your sense of self.
Veterans MeetUp
Reconnect, recharge, and enjoy time with fellow Veterans at Mending Stride’s free Veterans MeetUp. Spend a relaxing morning outdoors with rescued horses, casual conversation, coffee, and camaraderie in a welcoming, judgment-free setting. No pressure, no expectations, and no horse experience needed—just come as you are.
Pizza & Ponies MeetUp for Teens
Unwind after the school week at Mending Stride’s Pizza and Ponies MeetUp! Teens can enjoy pizza, fresh air, rescued horses, and time connecting with peers in a relaxed, judgment-free setting. No pressure, no expectations, and no horse experience required—just come as you are and enjoy.
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.
Vision Board Saturday
Let the herd help you reach your goals in 2025. This workshop will help motivate you to set goals and go into 2025 with an action plan. Learn about Vision Board Themes, the creation process and how to use it throughout the year. Participate in an activity with the horses to create the plan and overcome barriers to reach your goal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
