The Stable Ground Institute began with a girl, a somewhat spirited horse named Tara, and me, her mother. My daughter’s love for riding was what first brought Tara into their lives. As my daughter grew and moved on to other horses, I began riding Tara myself—stepping into the same stirrups and, unknowingly, into a journey that would transform my life.

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Tara became more than a riding partner. She taught me the art of presence, the courage to set boundaries, the language of trust, and the quiet strength that comes from simply being seen. Those lessons carried even deeper meaning for me as someone who had lived through foster care, survived domestic abuse, and later served as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children in crisis.

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Horses and the barn became my sanctuary—the place where I could breathe, heal, and rebuild. Tara reminded me that the lessons learned in the barn can change the way we approach life’s most challenging challenges.

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Stable Ground Institute was founded to share that gift. Today, we provide a safe and supportive space for foster youth and their families, survivors of domestic abuse, and survivors of human trafficking to heal, learn to connect, grow, and reclaim their strength. Through immersive equine experiences and dedicated research into the horse–human bond, we honor Tara’s legacy and work to ensure that anyone facing adversity can discover the same lessons and resilience we found in the quiet company of a horse. ​Tara is still here, the mare that leads the herd of younger horses, as opinionated and spirited as she was when we first met her, and yes, still my lesson partner every day. 

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I knew I had to find a way to share the same gift I received—the healing and wisdom that comes from learning with horses. So, I uprooted my life, gathered a small herd, and settled in a peaceful corner of DeLand, Florida. Here, on our quiet ranch by a small lake, we’ve created a sanctuary where others can experience the same gift of connection.

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Visitors can walk the nature trail that winds around the property, spend time with our farm animals, or simply enjoy the stillness before or after their time with the horses. Our hope is that every person who comes here leaves with a deeper connection to themselves, a clearer sense of direction, and a renewed bond with others.

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We are also committed to advancing research on the powerful ways equines support human healing and growth—helping expand both awareness and access to these transformative experiences.-   Founder, Krystena Sterling

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