Healing Horse Touch – Explore Equine Experiences for Self Care and Personal Growth
Transform emotional exhaustion into renewed resilience, gratitude, and inner peace.
Ground-based. No riding. Donation-based. Appointment only.
Sometimes you don’t need another place to go, another thing to accomplish, or another person telling you what you should do.
Sometimes you just need a little time to breathe.
Maybe that time could be spent standing beside a horse.
At Healing Horse Touch, we believe there is something special about slowing down, stepping away from the noise, and simply being present with a horse.
Such experiences may include:
There isn’t one right way to experience a horse.
Sometimes the horse is walking beside you. Sometimes they’re grazing nearby while you sit and reflect. And sometimes the most meaningful moment is simply being there.
Many People Feel Drawn to Horses… But Few Have Access. This Is a Problem.
If you’ve always loved horses, you probably understand the feeling.
There is something about their presence that can make you want to slow down. Horses don’t seem particularly concerned about whether you’ve had a difficult day, whether you’re good at something, or whether you have all the answers. They simply respond to what is happening in the moment.
But meaningful time with horses isn’t always easy to find.
Owning a horse requires space, money, time, knowledge, and a tremendous amount of responsibility. Traditional horse programs can also center around riding, competition, or performance.
Those things can be wonderful—but they aren’t what everyone is looking for.
For individuals who are overwhelmed, grieving, or emotionally worn down, those environments may feel intimidating rather than welcoming.
Some people simply want to brush a horse.
Some want to learn.
Some want to sit quietly nearby.
Some want a place where they don’t have to perform at all.
What many people truly need is something simpler: a peaceful place to be with horses.
That’s the space Healing Horse Touch was created to offer.
Why We Started Healing Horse Touch
Healing Horse Touch grew from something very personal.
Founder Diana Kelley has loved horses for most of her life. During difficult seasons that included trauma, depression, and vision loss, her relationship with horses became a source of strength, grounding, and connection.
Over time, Diana began to recognize something she wanted to share with others:
You don’t have to own a horse. You don’t have to ride. And you certainly don’t have to be an expert to experience the connection horses can offer.
That realization became the beginning of Healing Horse Touch.
Today, the goal is simple: create welcoming opportunities for people to slow down, spend meaningful time with horses, learn something new, and reconnect with themselves in a way that feels comfortable and genuine.
A Different Kind of Horse Experience
You don’t have to ride to enjoy being around horses.
All Healing Horse Touch experiences are ground-based. There is no riding, no competition, and no expectation that you need to prove what you can do.
Instead, we create person-centered experiences around what interests you, what feels comfortable, and what you hope to take away from your time here.
You might…
- learn how to groom or care for a horse.
- practice groundwork and communication.
- spend time noticing your breathing and surroundings.
- write in a journal, make art, listen to music, read, or simply sit quietly while the horses graze.
You might come with a specific goal—or you might have no idea what you need when you arrive.
That’s okay, too.
Here people don’t just learn about horses… they discover healing, connection, and renewal through their calm presence.
Healing Horse Touch is a beacon of hope where horses help quiet the soul and restore the heart.
Is Healing Horse Touch Right for You?
Maybe you’ve always wanted a horse, but life doesn’t make horse ownership practical right now.
Maybe you love horses but aren’t interested in riding or competition.
Maybe you’re looking for a peaceful activity to share with your child.
Maybe you want to learn more about horse care and communication.
Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply ready for some time away from the usual demands of life.
Maybe you’re curious about mindfulness, gratitude, healthy boundaries, confidence, or personal growth.
Or maybe you just really like horses.
There doesn’t have to be a big reason to come.
Our primary visitors so far have been women and children, and we’ve welcomed people with a variety of experiences, abilities, and interests.
Visitors have also shared that they are neurodivergent, including ADHD and autism; LGBTQ+; and/or sensitive to sensory input. These experiences remind us why a calm, flexible, person-centered approach matters.
We’ve also heard interest from veterans looking for ways to quietly spend time with horses.
You don’t need to fit into a particular category to belong here.
You simply need to be curious about what time with horses might offer you.
Find the Experience that Fits You
There are many ways to spend time with horses at Healing Horse Touch. Our offerings fall into three simple areas.
Your experience may fit neatly into one of these areas—or include a little of all three.
Who is Healing Horse Touch For
Many visitors come seeking a peaceful space because they are:
looking for a peaceful place to pause
curious about connecting with horses in a calm environment
feeling disconnected or overwhelmed
navigating grief or life transitions
Our goal isn’t to tell you what you need to do. It’s to create space for you to slow down, listen to yourself, connect with the horses, and discover what you need in that moment.
Moments that Matter
We can’t promise that every visit will feel the same.
And we don’t think it should.
One person may leave excited about something they learned about horses. Another may remember the feeling of brushing a horse for the first time. Someone else may remember sitting quietly while a horse grazed nearby.
Those little moments can matter.
Visitors have described their experiences as calming and meaningful. They have reported feeling more relaxed and grounded, experiencing a renewed sense of hope, and feeling more connected with themselves and nature.
For some people, the most important part isn’t doing anything at all.
It’s having permission to pause.
My daughter had been struggling with anxiety for months when we first visited Healing Horse Touch.
While visiting, she was allowed to pet and feed the horses. She started really smiling again!
Her anxiety symptoms always seem to decrease after visiting – even if she doesn’t get to do more than than watch the horses.
What to Expect When You Visit
Every visit starts with a conversation—not a checklist.
You don’t need horse experience, and you won’t be expected to ride, perform, or compete.
We’ll start by talking about what brought you here and what you’re hoping for. From there, we’ll help you find a person-centered experience that makes sense for you.
Your Visit May Look Something Like This
- Talk about what you’re looking for — We’ll listen to what brought you here, what interests you, and anything you’d like us to know.
- Choose an experience together — We’ll find an activity that fits your goals, experience, and comfort level.
- Meet the horses — You’ll have time to get acquainted with them and begin building a connection.
- Participate at your comfort level — There is no pressure to do more than feels right for you.
What Should You Bring?
Come prepared for the weather and for being around horses.
- Comfortable clothing
- Sturdy, closed-toe shoes
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Questions
- Curiosity
A participant waiver must be completed before participating.
If you have mobility, sensory, communication, or other needs that could affect your experience, please tell us when you schedule. We’ll do our best to help you know what to expect and discuss what accommodations may be possible.
Come as you are. The horses don’t require you to have everything figured out. Neither do we.
What You Can Expect From Us
A Thoughtful Approach to Every Experience
Experienced Leadership
Founder Diana Kelley brings a lifelong connection with horses and a deep personal understanding of the emotional challenges many visitors face.
Ground-Based Safety Approach
All experiences are conducted on the ground, creating a calm and accessible environment for individuals of varying abilities and comfort levels.
Community-Focused Mission
Healing Horse Touch was created to serve people who may not otherwise have access to horses due to financial, physical, or life circumstances.
Commitment to Accessibility
Scholarships and community support help ensure these experiences remain available to those who need them most.
Every part of Healing Horse Touch is created with intention—from the way we approach the horses to the way we welcome people.
But this little place didn’t come together because of one person alone.
Healing Horse Touch is a community effort. People have shared their time, resources, encouragement, ideas, and belief in what we’re trying to create. That support makes it possible for us to keep opening the gate and creating opportunities for people who might not otherwise have access to horses.
Built With Heart. Supported by community.
Healing Horse Touch may have started with one person’s love of horses, but it has grown through the generosity and encouragement of a community.
We’re a Minnesota nonprofit with a simple mission: to make meaningful, ground-based experiences with horses more accessible to people who may not otherwise have the opportunity.
We’re proud to be guided by a majority-women board who volunteer their time to provide leadership and help keep us moving forward.
And we’re grateful for the people who make the work possible every day—donors, volunteers, community supporters, and people who simply share our story.
Our Little Corner of Southwest Minnesota
Come slow down with us in Kenneth
Tucked away in a quiet rural corner of Minnesota, there is a place where healing doesn’t come from white walls or waiting rooms. Instead, inner healing grows from open pastures, gentle hooves, and the warmth of connection.
More than a nonprofit, Healing Horse Touch has become a sanctuary for those who need space to breathe, a moment to reflect, and a chance to rediscover their strength in the company of horses.
Healing Horse Touch is located in the rural countryside of Kenneth, Minnesota, where wide-open skies, fresh air, nature, and horses create the setting for our equine experiences.
This is a space to slow down, step away from the noise of everyday life, and simply be present with the horses and the world around you.
Can’t make the trip?
You can still be part of Healing Horse Touch.
Our online community, newsletter, stories, educational resources, and social media give you opportunities to connect with us from wherever you are. You might not be able to stand beside one of our horses just yet, but you can still follow along, learn with us, celebrate the little victories, and be part of what we’re building.
Whether you’re a few miles down the road or several states away, you are welcome here.
Hoofbeats of Hope: More Ways to Connect and Grow
Healing journeys often begin with a small moment of inspiration.
Our newsletter shares stories from the horses, updates from the farm, and reflections on emotional well-being, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Be part of a community that believes in the healing power of horses.
Subscribe to Hoofbeats of Hope and discover the healing waiting for you.
Our Community Makes This Possible
These numbers may be small, but their impact reaches much farther than the numbers suggest.
Every contribution of time, talent, encouragement, and financial support helps us continue creating meaningful opportunities with horses.
Sometimes community support looks like a donation.
Sometimes it’s a volunteer showing up to help.
Sometimes it’s someone sharing our story with a friend.
And sometimes it’s simply saying, “I believe in what you’re doing.”
Whatever form it takes, we’re grateful.
GRANTS SUPPORT
For every person who gives, volunteers, shares our story, or simply believes in what we’re doing.
Thank you for being part of our story.
Could This Be What You’ve been looking for?
Maybe you’ve been looking for something like this for a while.
A place where you can slow down.
A place where you can learn without being judged.
A place where you can spend time with horses without owning one.
A place where a child can discover the wonder of horses.
A place where an adult can put down the weight they’ve been carrying for a little while.
A place where you can come as you are.
Healing Horse Touch: Discover Healing, Connection, and Renewal through Horses
Sometimes healing begins with something simple: standing quietly beside a horse and remembering how it feels to breathe again.
Curious?
