Hope Ranch, a local nonprofit that was created to help those with mental or physical illnesses through the act of horseback riding, has begun their spring riding lessons. Founders, Darrell and Debbie Shelton, have been making miracles happen behind the scenes for nearly two decades. In 2005, after reading the book Hope Rising by Kim Meeder, which is about equine rehabilitation and was centered around the idea that by putting traumatized horses and traumatized people together they have the chance to heal each other, Debbie knew that this was something that would greatly benefit the community and the rest is history.

The idea that horses could help people was not a new notion in Debbie’s mind, she has been in love with horses for as long as she could remember and knew the feeling of being around them was too good to not share. Her husband Darrell shares this love, so when she suggested that they create a riding program for those with disabilities for this purpose, it wasn’t hard to convince him.

They had horses, all they needed then was people and it wasn’t long after they began that the word got around and many began to seek them out for lessons. While it began as a program for those with special needs, now it has grown into an unstoppable force of love and faith with riders of all ages, abilities, and experience. While the Shelton’s felt and still feel that people with disabilities could benefit from a program like theirs, they didn’t want to deny the experience of bonding with these amazing animals from anyone.

Whether they are trying to combat physical or mental illnesses, seemingly all of their clients show improvement by the end of their 8 week course.

While Hope Ranch started with the intent of helping people with disabilities, their program has expanded so much more. Now, it is open to anyone who has an interest in horses. They try to stick to the age range of about 5 years old to teenagers, but the ages of clients they have helped, ranges anywhere from 5 to 70 years old. It speaks on how wonderful the Shelton’s are as teachers, not only that they have been working at local schools as their day jobs for many years, but they still have clients from their very first year in business that still attend. They later opened their ranch up further because, though they knew they were making a difference with those they were helping, they felt as if a huge group of people were missing out. The opportunity to learn more about horses and experience just how amazing they are isn’t a commonplace for most people. So, with that in mind, the Sheltons began to allow people, mostly “horsecrazy little girls” in Darrell’s words, who wouldn’t have had the ability to experience this otherwise.

Those with physical illnesses, such as being unable to walk or exercise, have the opportunity to build muscles and learn how to balance from the top of the horse. During the exercise, the horse’s gait provides a rhythmic movement that stimulates a person’s hips and pelvis. Oddly enough, their gait imitates that of a human walking, it is because of this that a rider’s muscles begin to loosen up as they continue on with their lesson. Because of the core strength built over the progression of their sessions, they have also seen a huge effect on balance as well. An example of this was given to them personally when the Sheltons saw one of their students go from being wheelchair bound, to being able to walk with crutches after having built up their muscles and balance.

As for the mental improvements, the Sheltons attribute all of this to the confidence that these events bring riders. “Going from having no control over mostly anything in their lives, to being able to boss around an 1,100 pound animal gives them the ability to be in charge, in at least one aspect of their lives,” says Debbie. For so many of their clients, confidence is one of the biggest psychological issues they need to overcome. The last time I had the chance to see the Hope Ranch program in action, I talked about having the opportunity to see firsthand how their program changes lives, when I saw a shy little girl come out of her shell and how her whole demeanor changed just within the 30 minute riding lesson. I was lucky enough to see this same girl during my most recent visit and seeing just how comfortable she is and the progress she has made with the Sheltons is astounding.

For those where confidence isn’t the issue, but rather a mental illness such as depression or anxiety, Hope Ranch offers them the chance to open up without the fear of judgment. While many find it terrifying to seek help from a therapist or a mental health professional, it is not nearly as frightening to tell a horse your fears and thoughts. “I like to tell the [clients] that, ‘You can whisper any secrets to them and no one in the world will ever hear them.’ It helps them just to talk about what they are feeling,” It’s not only during their time at Hope Ranch that there is a change in the riders, but the parents notice a change at home as well. “Parents have called and asked us when we open classes again, because they have a totally different child when we are on break,” says Debbie.

Twink and Harley, their two lesson horses are a huge part of how the program keeps its doors open. Not only are they the vehicles for the lessons, but because of their personalities they make the perfect horses for the job. These horses are the real stars of the show, other than the riders of course. They are both in their teenage years and they are the definition of the perfect lesson horses because of their calm disposition and “bomb proof”, meaning not easily alarmed or startled, mentality. This is the exact temperament you need when putting inexperienced riders on horses for the first time.

After the Shelton’s children grew up and moved out of their childhood home, Debbie and Darrel knew that they were going to have to downsize their herd, not only because of the cost, but because they lacked the time to properly take care of the number of horses that they had. After looking at their options, it was clear that these two horses would be the best suited for the job.

Because of the downsize, it is extremely important to make sure that not only the riders, but the horses as well, stay in a safe environment. If something were to happen to either one of the girls, it would be detrimental to Hope Ranch. Not only because they would only have one rideable horse, but because animals like them are once in a lifetime. They aren’t like a car, you can’t go out and buy a new one and expect the same results. They are a part of the family and are extremely lucky to not only have the love of their owners, but also the love of so many riders over the years, who have cherished them as much as Debbie and Darrell have.

There is a quote in the horse world that says, “The world is best viewed from between a horse’s ears” and Hope Ranch has made me a believer of that. This is because the world I saw from between their horses’ ears, is one without judgment, expectations, shame, or disappointment. In the little world they have created, each rider is just as capable as the next and is seen as an equal, no matter their situation. That is what makes this place so special. The disabilities that a rider might have are insignificant here and there is no task that the riders are unable to complete if they put their mind up to it. The Sheltons give them all the tools they can to succeed.

The program is about accepting each person as they are and helping them succeed. During their time with that, there is plenty of fun and laughter throughout each lesson. They show each student love, kindness, and joy, as they work to complete their tasks and hit their goals.

When talking about a photograph that had been taking during one of their lessons, Debbie said “[the picture] depicted joy, and that’s what this program is.”

There has never been a better word to describe Hope Ranch than that, than joy. Pure and unrefined joy is what fills everyone that this program touches.

Without a doubt, it has been shown repeatedly, through the Shelton’s kindness and dedication to their riders and program, Hope Ranch is a hidden gem of the community. They do not make any monetary profit off this program and only do it because they truly love helping people. Because they are a nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on donations. If you are able to donate anything, from cash to just some of your time to volunteer, it would be greatly appreciated. Any monetary donations go right back into the program whether it be help with vet care, farrier work, feed, etc. and any volunteer work is strictly to help as well. If you have a skill, such as welding for example, or even if you just help with lawn care, it is a huge help to them. They also have an Amazon wish list linked on their Facebook page, Hope Ranch, Inc. that is available for animal care and rider needs. The AmazonSmile Foundation will also donate 0.5% of the purchase price of the eligible items you buy if you shop with Hope Ranch, Inc. through smile.amazon.com.

Any donations can be taken to 29 SW Longview Blvd., just outside of Ponca City. For more information about sessions, availability, or donations, you can reach them through their Facebook page, call at 580-716-3250, or email them at hoperanch2004@gmail.com.