In a quiet valley in Sedalia, Happy Dog Ranch (HDR) sits on 117 acres along Jarre Creek, a preservation of old western Colorado. A nonprofit run by Bernadette and John Spillane, HDR has structures dating back to the 1880s and a long history as a brewery and stable. But the true heart of the property is in the 70 or so rescued horses that roam its pastures and the work done with equine therapy.

Bernadette and John have been rescuing horses for almost two decades. They officially formed HDR in 2011 to expand their goal of creating a safe place connecting horses and humans. The name was inspired by their two large dogs, who embody the spirit of the ranch—joyful, healthy and in harmony with nature.

Recognizing the damage the transactional nature of the horse business can have on an animal’s well-being, HDR offers a permanent home and support for horses in unsustainable conditions, often those facing euthanasia or abandonment. “All horses have intrinsic value,” said Bernadette.

HDR strives to create stability in its horses’ surroundings and relationships. As herd and prey animals, traditional single stalls can be stressful for horses, since they are unable to see the rest of their herd; therefore, HDR converted single stalls to doubles to ensure horses always have a friend close by. “They are with each other all the time. They heal each other and take care of each other,” Bernadette said.

Equal to HDR’s efforts to care for horses is the work with people, largely through education and mental health programs. HDR collaborates with mental health organizations such as the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies and The Aspen Effect, among others. This year, HDR offered more than 80 workshops, classes and clinics to people of all ages and backgrounds.

“I have seen people who have had so much tragedy happen in their lives who come out and groom an older horse, and the horse lets them get rid of all the sadness and grief.”

In traditional equine therapy work, horses easily experience burnout, as “they don’t really have a chance to do anything else,” Bernadette said. Bernadette finds that horses are very receptive to our energy, and whether or not they participate, becomes part of the discussion at HDR. Once back in the herd, the horses dissipate the energy from therapy work among themselves. “Any one of them can step up at any time and be engaged with people,” Bernadette said, “with the hope that it is mutually beneficial.”

In addition to paid staff, HDR has around 50 volunteers who interact with the horses on a daily basis, some of whom work with the same horse for years. Daniels Gate resident and volunteer Krista Horan, who has been helping a horse named Summer heal from a hoof condition for the past few months, said, “To interact with Summer every time I am there is really special.” This experience is not only felt by the volunteers, but the horses, too. “The horses initiate the interactions, even coming over from across the field to greet you,” explained Krista. “They make it clear that they want to spend time with you.”

HDR relies on volunteer work and monetary donations to continue its important work. To support the mission or learn more, visit happydogranch.org.

 

Article and photos by Jada Horan