HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship - Olympia, Washington

James S.

This program saved my life when my son was tragically murdered. I didn't want to go on . I was given a referral here by a caring friend. I have been participating there for 2 years. The staff there are the most knowledgeable in horsemanship as well as trauma. I am beyond grateful for their support. They guided me to find healing purpose and passion and rebuild my life while grieving. The beautiful horse I bonded with more then once licked and dried my tears would but his heart on my chest . Often he has to blow on me and remind me to breath. I learned to get back .in my body . My horse stood next to me as I wrote my victim impact statement. The staff gentle guided me until on day in the summer while ridding I threw my arms open, with sunshine on my face I FELT JOY. I never expected to feel that again. Thank you ladies of Healing Heart Ranch and my beautiful Blue my heart horse . You gave me a reason to get out of bed .

Michael J.

Great mission with poor management. How the funding of this place is managed and acquired is sketchy. I’m sure some 3 letter agency would have a hay day with the way the owner misallocates funds from the NFP for her personal use.

She even used me (a combat wounded veteran) to pull money from a locally sourced grant for free riding lessons… and never gave me riding lessons, I just cleaned troughs and cut grass around the ranch. I’ve even seen Christy tell a client that she can’t do their grant paid lessons, but requested that they help clean out a garage instead… as the client and I were cleaning and organizing the garage Christy bragged about how she was “getting help around the ranch today” and “still getting paid”… still getting paid for riding lessons that she is not giving.

Lastly, Christy wanted me to fix her irrigation system on her personal house. She over shared with me saying that she was going to pay me cash from the NFP since she didn’t have the personal funds and that it would be a win-win so I wouldn't have to pay taxes either. I respectfully declined, and told her that I was volunteering my time to work on the ranch, helping with the horses. This upset Christy that I wouldn’t take her under the table, not for profit funds to work on her personal property, so she blocked my number.

This ranch stinks. Hope the IRS finds it someday.

Dana V. N.

All over the world, folks are dialing in to the need for healing of ourselves and each other. Many of us do not have access to the world, but if you are within travelling distance of Olympia, Wa, I hope your journey of healing and helping others leads you to HeartStrides. Here, you find Kristy & Hanna. Earth creatures guided by the wisdom of horses and the power of story. Your only task is to bring your heart and a willingness to hear, see, and learn. The environment is safe, professional, beautiful and open, non judgmental and therapeutic on its own. The team takes such great care of everyone and meets people where they are. And with horses, show a pathway to break free of the mind and be present. I was here for a weekend and learned more about my emotions, self-regulating, and personal behaviors than I had over my lifetime.

I am grateful HeartStrides exists; a safe environment holding space as a gateway to knowing self. The sheer empowerment and freedom of that is utterly priceless.

Jonathan S.

Heart strides is a great program I'm in tcdc and just completed my 6-week core horsemanship course I love Kristy and the rest of the gals there. Very knowledgeable very one-on-one I suggest this to anyone that has trauma or is in recovery!

Nancy I.

Heartstrides’ programs for youth and military veterans are not only life-changing but life-saving. Anyone who has been negatively impacted by traumatic experiences or has issues with substance abuse will gain valuable coping skills in working with the horses, who are incredible teachers.

Danny B.

Beautiful horses. Patient understanding knowledgeable staff

James C.