Our Story

Stable Ground Institute began with a spirited horse named Tara, my daughter, and a journey I never expected to take.

My daughter’s love for riding first brought Tara into our lives. As she grew and began riding other horses, I found myself stepping into Tara’s stirrups and into an entirely new chapter of my own life.

Tara became more than a horse to ride.

She became my partner and teacher.

She taught me presence in ways that were sometimes not so subtle. When I wasn't fully present, I often found myself on the ground. She taught me about trust, boundaries, communication, and the quiet strength that comes from authenticity. Through her, I learned that meaningful relationships are built not through force, but through connection.

I often tell people that Tara made me a better person.

And she continues to teach me every day, as do all the horses who have become part of our herd.

Over time, I realized the lessons extended beyond the horses themselves. As I spent more time outdoors, caring for the animals and stewarding the property, I found myself reconnecting with something I had loved as a child: nature.

Some of my fondest memories growing up were spent outside, exploring, observing, and simply being present in the natural world. Like many adults, I had drifted away from that connection without realizing how important it was. The horses and nature brought me back to it.

Together, they reminded me of something simple yet profound: connection matters.

Connection to ourselves.
Connection to others.
Connection to the natural world.

My own experiences navigating adversity, raising a child as a single parent, pursuing my education, and volunteering with children and families facing significant challenges reinforced the importance of that truth. Through years of service in foster care and underserved communities, I saw how many people lacked access to safe spaces, supportive relationships, and opportunities to discover their own strengths.

I began to ask these questions:

How could I share what horses and nature had given me?

How can I enable horses to be the partners they are meant to be without the pressure the sporting world puts on them?

How could I create opportunities for people, especially those who cannot afford to experience it?

Stable Ground Institute was created to answer those questions.

Today, Stable Ground Institute is dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities by creating opportunities for connection, growth, resilience, and lifelong learning through equine- and nature-based assisted learning.

We believe that healthy relationships are the foundation of resilient people, thriving communities, and healthy systems.

We also believe everyone deserves access to the power of connection, regardless of their background or circumstances.

We believe that horses deserve the same level of connection, safety, and healthy environments as humans do.

That belief guides everything we do.

Our Commitment

Stable Ground Institute is committed to advancing understanding of how horses, nature, and experiential learning support human growth and well-being. Through our programs, partnerships, and ongoing learning, we seek to contribute to a growing body of knowledge about connection, resilience, leadership, and social-emotional development.

Stable Ground is more than a place.

It is a community built on the belief that relationships and connection change everything, and that horses and nature are extraordinary partners in helping us discover who we are and who we can become.

Research and Impact

Advancing the understanding of how horses strengthen human connection, resilience, and learning.

At Stable Ground Institute, our work is grounded in more than experience; it is supported by emerging research, neuroscience, and the growing field of equine-assisted learning. Horses offer a unique combination of sensitivity, presence, and nonverbal communication that makes them extraordinary partners in human development.

We are committed not only to delivering transformational programs but also to contributing to the research and evidence behind why they work.

Here is a link to our favorite research partner:

Horse and Human Research Foundation