Past the open plains along Victor Valley’s Highway 18 is a quiet horse rescue. Old workhorses, a beast rescued from the Medieval Times show and abused ponies have found refuge in Lucerne Valley’s Can you dig that Ranch.

More than just a rescue, the ranch offers the only certified equine-assisted psychotherapy services in the High Desert, an alternative to traditional office-based therapy. Through this type of therapy, a team of mental health professionals work with equine specialists to provide comfort for clients struggling with mental health.

Can You Dig It Ranch incorporates animals into its mental health treatment for clients suffering from PTSD, clients with learning disabilities, individuals with behavioral issues and more.

Sandra Mahoney, owner of the 501C-3 organization, explained the power of equine-assisted psychotherapy as she walked around visiting each horse in their respective stables. She stopped when she reached Mistee, the miniature horse from Texas, who Mahoney is sure is pregnant.

An 11-year-old client was brought to Can You Dig It Ranch by his family therapist, who couldn’t crack the code on the child’s behavioral problems, Mahoney began. Inexplicable swearing and other extraordinary behavior for a child her age was more than her family could handle.

Within 30 minutes of brushing Mistee, she was leaning next to the miniature horse and whispering into her light brown dwarf-colored ear the reality of abuse at home, as perpetrated by her stepfather.

“The horses open up avenues of communication,” Mahoney said. “They pose no threat to them.” As herd animals that are body language experts, developed and perfected through evolution, horses give honest feedback. They can sense when danger is near and keep angry clients at bay.

Bonding with such an animal, Mahoney continued, is a testament to one’s healing path and can be the ultimate form of therapy.

Equine-assisted psychotherapy in action at Can You Dig It

Sometimes equine-assisted psychotherapy activities are small and simple, tailored to the needs of the client. Brushing a specific horse is often therapeutic enough for a client to open up, as in the case of the 11-year-old.

Other times, Mahoney has clients who try to harness a horse with little or no help to learn independence and a sense of accomplishment after the struggling ride.

The team at Can You Dig It Ranch gave me the same treatment as a customer. The first stop on the agenda was a meet and greet with the dog-loving dwarf Nubian goats. Once comfortable with their new visitors, the blue-eyed creatures rub their heads against their human companions, earning a sense of trustworthiness.

I tried two other hands-on activities during my time at Can You Dig It that for me produced clear results.

Energy work

Mahoney introduced me to the horse Spirit. The spirit was in the practice hanger, patiently waiting for the planned demonstration. This activity was called “Spirit work” or energy work.

Mahoney demonstrated the power of bonding with such a powerful animal through movement. Without saying anything or touching the beast, she was able to move Spirit around the enclosure through unspoken communication. She would stop moving and he had come to her side like an obedient dog.

It seemed simple enough to someone like me who had never spent more than a few minutes admiring horses from a distance until it was my turn to dance with the black stallion.

I tried and failed to bring him through my energy like Mahoney did. Struggling was part of the experience, she reminded me. At this moment, she asked a client how the stubbornness made them feel. She constantly checked in with her clients to make them self-aware and aware of their actions.

When the horse finally responded to my silent beckoning, it was indeed “Spirit-ual”. He even rested his head on my shoulder a few times, a type of bonding I thought only Snow White could accomplish.

I could only imagine how that “aha” moment with such a large animal would register with a special needs client, or someone struggling with issues of abandonment. When a horse responds in cooperation with you, it’s hard not to feel special, like you’re somehow chosen.

Obstacle course

The next activity would involve a serious level of trust. Together with Can You Dig It volunteer Lorrie Steely, we set up an obstacle course of various objects. One of us was blindfolded with the miniature horse Mistee in hand and the other would lead the two individuals safely around the track, hopefully without injury.

This activity teaches communication, Mahoney said, and really helps clients who struggle with expressing their feelings through words.

Many people, especially children, cannot articulate or even recognize their feelings and they are often unaware of the connections between their feelings and their behaviors.

Experiential education involves participants learning about themselves and others by participating in activities that add meaning to their lives. By processing or discussing thoughts, beliefs, behaviors and patterns, they can change how they react to stressful situations.

Mahoney’s Path to Equine Assisted Therapy

Mahoney has worked with horses for over 20 years. Her experience in the field is second to none.

She is certified in PATH International as a therapeutic riding instructor and is an equine specialist in mental health. She founded the BJP Youth Ranch Therapeutic riding program and is also the Equine Director of The Painted Turtle Camp, a Paul Newman camp.

Additionally, she is the program director for Spirit Ridge Equine Center, where she has helped veterans with equine-assisted psychotherapy, and is the founder of Special Olympics Equestrian of Tehachapi.

Mahoney started the Can You Dig It ranch in May of this year, inspired by both her love of horses and her husband Kevin Lake’s permanent injuries from a motorcycle accident decades ago. Together, the couple practice hippotherapy with Lily the white mare, a form of physical therapy that focuses on hip movement.

Right now, sessions are only $20 per person or family. Mahoney and volunteers are passionate about their practice and will work through any issue with the Victor Valley community. The newest equine-assisted psychotherapy ranch in the High Desert is also accepting donations via Zelle to support the expensive upkeep of the ranch’s animals.

For more information or to schedule a session, contact 805-338-0134.

McKenna Mobley is a Daily Press reporter and can be reached at [email protected].

This article was originally published on the Victorville Daily Press: New equine-assisted therapy services available for High Desert