Horse Mentors

Restoration Reins

Our horse program, lovingly called “Restoration Reins”, is just one facet of the many treatment methods we use at Blazing Hope Ranch. Equine-assisted mentoring helps residents learn (or relearn) key developmental and relational skills.

Horses may be big and may seem intimidating, but they are sensitive to people's energy and can respect the boundary of even a gentle touch. It takes patience, determination, calm confidence, and commitment (even if the horse is being a little bit difficult) to build a solid relationship. And all of these traits can be negatively impacted by trauma.

Working with horses through equine-assisted mentoring can help residents build important skills that will apply to many areas of their lives, such as confidence, endurance, and better self-awareness. Here are the horses that help make that possible!

Miniature horse, dark brown, with green halter.

Chase

Chase is an adorable yet spirited miniature horse, and has been a cherished member of our equine family since 2016, arriving alongside his herd mate through a generous donation. He's been a beloved participant in Camp Run Free, delighting in the company of children and spreading joy wherever he goes.

Chase's journey from a feral, apprehensive horse to a gentle, curious companion is truly inspiring and one part of why he fits our Ranch so well. Initially wary of human contact, he gradually warmed up to our care and affection, revealing a playful and inquisitive “horsenality”. He's fun and explorative, and shocks people who expect less sass from such an adorable package.

Despite his small stature, Chase exudes confidence, often amusing visitors with his spirited prancing and endearing attempts to assert his dominance. He serves as a valuable teacher to our residents, fostering mindfulness and body awareness through his sensitivity to human movements and eagerness to form connections. Chase's journey exemplifies the transformative power of trust and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on all who have the privilege of knowing him.

Resident experience: “When I first came to the ranch, Chase was timid and untrusting of most people. As I've spent time with him, he has become more confident, and so have I. He's taught me that we all have a God-given purpose and sometimes we just need someone to give us grace and love as we learn to discover who we were created to be.”

Brown horse with black mane, leaning over fence.

Fellina

Meet Fellina, the radiant mare bringing a gentle spirit to the Ranch. Since her arrival in 2022, Fellina has captured the hearts of all who meet her, eagerly participating in Camp Run Free and adding a touch of feminine grace to our equine family. She found her way to us through her horse trainer’s shared belief in our mission; her journey to the Ranch is a tale of support and camaraderie within the equestrian community.

Despite her initial lack of confidence, Fellina flourishes under the guidance of calm, consistent leadership, thriving on the connections she forms with both humans and her herd mates. Through her endearing personality and gentle demeanor, Fellina imparts valuable lessons in assertiveness and boundary-setting, empowering our residents to find their voices and build meaningful relationships. She is phenomenal at teaching our more quiet residents to step up in assertiveness. Fellina won't take advantage of them if they don't set boundaries but also does not feel safe without them. She has taught residents that boundaries are a way to show love and build relationship.

Resident experience: “Fellina is my horse. She has a great personality and is very well trained. She has a spicy side which meets my personality. She has taught me connection, trust, and what it means to be a true friend. I have had a great experience with her, she brings me pure joy.”

Miniature horse, light brown with white stripe on nose.

Peanut

Meet Peanut, the resilient soul of Blazing Hope Ranch! Peanut has been an invaluable part of our community since his arrival in 2022, lending his strength and sweet demeanor to several seasons of Camp Run Free.

Peanut's journey to the Ranch is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and patience. Once an Amish buggy horse, he found his way to us from the same horse trainer as Fellina. Despite his initial fearfulness, Peanut's desire to please shines through, coupled with a boundless physical stamina that propels him forward.

With the sweetest eyes that seem to see into your soul, Peanut teaches us the importance of patience, trust, and the deep connections forged through mutual understanding. From belly rubs to tackling obstacles, Peanut embodies resilience and the triumph of trust, inspiring our residents to overcome their own challenges with grace and determination.

Resident experience: “Peanut, like myself, has been through a lot. Throughout his time on the ranch, he has found it hard to trust. I can relate... Working with Peanut has been a challenge, but an amazing privilege also. Peanut has shown me I don’t have to be scared to press in to relationship… both of us are healing from our fears and enjoying the perks of love, community, and friendship. I don't know how God does it, but He knows what each of us needs to bond help us on our journey to healing and wholeness.”

White horse being led in a green field.

Sterling

Sterling came from the same trainer as Fellina and Peanut, who felt that Sterling would be an awesome addition to our herd. He came to stay in September of 2023, and is a participant Camp Run Free.

Sterling is eager to please and loves to be a part of things. He is beautiful and incredibly intelligent, and prefers a confident leader because he can be easily scared and is very sensitive to cues. He also loves mints, and can hear the wrapper from a hundred yards away!

One of his favorite things to do is jump barrels. One day his lady decided to have him jump over the barrels and he just kept doing it. She started calling him her magical unicorn after that day.

Resident experience: “My horse is Sterling. He became my horse after Prince passed. I thought I wouldn't want another horse, I thought I couldn't love after Prince. But I believe Prince came into my life so I could be a better human for Sterling. I had at first a hard time wanting to bond with him. And then he started to break down the very tall wall I had put around my heart. Now, I love him very much. He comes to me when I call him and in doing that it reassures me that he is the one for me. We trust each other and love each other. He is a great horse and I'm blessed to be his human.”

Reddish brown horse with white splotch above eyes.

Wendell

Wendell came from the same trainer as Fellina, Peanut, and Sterling. He came to stay in September of 2023 and has helped with Camp Run Free. Wendell is the strong silent type. He's confident and doesn’t need to prove himself, and prefers relationship over task.

One resident describes him as, “quiet, social, challenging, interested, and stubborn… sunshine after the rain and hope for what is ahead.” Wendell can do amazing things and is happy to please others as long as there is a relationship there.

The shortest resident was paired with him. At first she wasn't interested in working with him because, at 17 hands high, he's a big horse! Since then, though, she has grown in confidence. When we needed to treat his feet for thrush, she marched right up to him and tried to pick up his foot. He just stared back at her. When she took a breath and took a minute to connect with him first, he was more than happy to lift his foot for her.

Resident experience: “My horse is Wendell and working with him has been the key to my healing. He has taught me to better understand myself, my emotions, center myself, to stay focused and calm. My favorite is that he has taught me about relationships. I love you so much, Wendell.”

Large dark brown horse.

Jerry

Jerry came to live at the Ranch in October of 2023. He was originally bred to be an Amish buggy horse, but was sold to a carriage company because of his conformation. He was then found to have shivers, and was sold to the Chattanooga Carriage Company, where he got to see the sights and was greatly loved. They donated his use to Blazing Hope Ranch, so he could retire from having to get on a horse trailer every weekend and pull people around the city.

Jerry has been called the “Gentle Giant”. He is peaceful and still and not easily flustered. One time we played Red Light, Green Light with the horses, and added Purple Light which meant to dance. The lady holding Jerry was dancing and feeling silly, but Jerry stood there calmly looking down with what she perceived as concern.

He is a ginormous horse and yet so gentle. He teaches confidence and tenacity. One lady said, “He is a remarkable creature. He is an overcomer and has made a huge impact on my recovery.”

Resident experience: “I didn’t mean to choose Jerry as a horse - it just happened. I was actually scared of him; he was so big, but so beautiful. I remember one day he was anxious, all the other horses were out but him. He wanted to be “part of”. And that was me. I wanted to belong somewhere. He taught me not to be scared all the time, but cautious. He taught me that love and connection just might be the answer to all the world’s problems.”

Young dark brown horse, eating food next to another horse.

Hank

Hank is a 7-year-old “toddler” who came to the Ranch in November 2024. When Hank was born, he was raised at a sale barn where he got to run, but was also trained with a heavy-handed approach. He was rescued in 2020 when a kind lady drove by and saw him tied to a pole with a lot of blood on his face and head from a recent beating. Due to her limited time and his youthfulness, she wanted him to go somewhere he could help others.

Since being at the Ranch, Hank has proven to be very curious and inquisitive. He is known to be similar in personality to a human toddler, trying to see what he can get away with, and we all love him for it. He thrives on clear boundaries and has proven to be a very smart horse. He has helped to increase our security, because we have to put extra clips on the gate to make sure he doesn’t open it to go on surprise adventures.

Resident experience: “I’ve learned to set boundaries with Hank. In the beginning, I felt I was being mean, but as time went on I have seen that Hank started to respect me and my personal space more and more. Hank has taught me to be more aware of my feelings and surroundings while being mindful and staying present… He has been a great emotional support for me. Every time I see him, I can’t help but smile.”

Reddish brown horse with white stripe on nose, eating hay.

Cookie

Cookie came to the Ranch in December 2024 from a lady who had rescued her several years prior from an auction. Cookie was looking forward to carrying a little boy around on trail rides with his grandma, but for various reason, that did not happen. She spent the next several years as one of over a dozen horses and enjoyed being left alone. A Ranch staff member brought her to her house with the hopes of Cookie becoming an excellent horse partner to use for Camp Run Free.

Now, as a 20-year-old mare, she finds herself at the ranch and seems to be asking, “What are you going to do with me?” Due to her beautiful coloring, residents are drawn to her in spite of the grumpy expression so often on her face. Cookie is a confident and introverted horse, which means she does not easily spook. 2024 was her first summer as a Camp Run Free partner, and she didn’t even react when a camper ran straight into her behind, only looking back as if to ask, “What was that?”

Resident experience: “She is a very beautiful horse. She's very feisty, maybe that's why I can connect with her so well. She has taught me that trust and connection are very important, as well as boundaries. Learning her has been a real challenge that I needed. She shows me that expressing ourselves is also important.”