What is horse therapy?

Wildfire Ranch’s horses have undergone extensive preparation for their role in therapy. Before engaging with guests, they train for hours in ground exercises that teach them to show respect toward the humans as “leaders of the herd.” Trainers implement gentle training techniques that involve praising the horses during times of excellence and removing praise during times of disobedience. While the training prepares the horses to perform as expected, we believe that part of the thrill of working with horses comes from the fact that they are living creatures and each possesses a unique personality.

“Horse therapy shows people that they are just existing, not living. Horses can pick up on your emotions even if you don’t feel them.”

Because this intuitive nature, head trainer Cynthia Amnell believes that at least 90 percent of horse therapy at Wildfire Ranch has an extreme impact on people’s lives. When guests arrive at the ranch for their first therapy session, they are often suppressing their emotions. Because of horses’s natural instincts as prey animals, they have a special way of sensing how other living beings are feeling and behaving. This natural behavior leads a horse to mirror the emotions that are locked deep inside the person they are working with. We believe that this phenomenon helps people to understand the feelings they have been masking, and opens the door to healing.

Cost is $50/hour per person. Wildfire Ranch is located at 332 Harter Road, Spring Mills, Pa. 16875 and operates 7 days/week by appointment only: (814) 574-9942.

Want more than just a few sessions? Come to our ranch for a week-long horse therapy retreat!

Disclosure: Wildfire Ranch Staff members are not licensed counselors, psychologists or psychiatrists nor do we make any such claims. As such there is no counseling conducted during our equine therapy sessions. Clients are given games to play with the horses which empower clients in their weak areas and promote healing from inner traumas as a result. Wildfire Ranch staff members interpret horse behavior during these sessions as the horses 'mirror' what they are sensing in the clients.

Horse Therapy for Depression & Anxiety in Spring Mills, PA

Horse Therapy for Anxiety Spring Mills PA

“The horses showed me that I keep everyone at a distance by not allowing them near me. As I started changing my behavior, the horses changed their own. I never even realized I was so anti-social and depressed. My entire quality of life is changing right in front of my eyes.”

While traditional horse therapy focuses on people whose injuries at physical, at Wildfire Ranch we specialize in healing wounds of a less tangible nature. As the above testimonial from an Iraq War veteran who suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests, the emotional therapy that Wildfire Ranch offers has the potential to transform lives. Our horses work with those suffering from depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, autism, bipolar disorder, suicidal thoughts, rage, and other emotional hardships.

What to Expect

Our guests are first introduced to the horses and matched to the one of their choice. Exercises include brushing, saddling, leading a horse by rope, commanding a horse to back, turn and jog; feeding and caring for the horse, understanding horse behavior and finally, riding the horse in our outdoor arena and even out on mountain trails. Our exercises are exactly the same as those used by the famous Horses Helping Heroes using horses to help veterans with post-traumatic stress syndrome. Breaks are taken during which time teaching is provided on the healing power of horses as well as the healing power of God.

Horse Therapy for Depression Spring Mills PA

How Do I Sign Up?

Therapy sessions are $50/hour per person.

For information and to receive a registration packet, feel free to get in touch with us. You may receive your registration packet by post or by e-mail, whichever you prefer. All registrants will be required to sign a waiver/release form.

Registration is limited to 5-6 guests at a time. Separate sessions are available by special request for divorcing couples, neglected/abused children, troubled teens, and other groups.

Want more time with our horses than just a few sessions? Come to our ranch for a Week-long Horse Therapy Retreat!

Contact us today to sign up for a Horse Therapy Session!
Call/Text: (814) 574-9942
Email: wildfireranch.cynthia@gmail.com

Cancellation policy: All deposits are non-refundable. If you have to cancel up to 4 weeks before your scheduled date, Wildfire Ranch will email you a gift certificate for the full amount good thru the end of the following year. If you must cancel within 4 weeks of your scheduled date we cannot issue a gift certificate due to the fact that we have turned away other guests from your reserved dates. If Wildfire Ranch is forced to cancel due to unsafe weather we will email you a gift certificate for the full amount. If you must terminate your lodging and/or horse activities for any reason during the course of your stay there will be no refund for the remaining lodging or horse activities originally scheduled.

Contractual Agreement: Upon full payment or deposit of any amount towards your reservation you are agreeing to Wildfire Ranch’s cancellation policy above.

Expand your interactions with our horses:

Not sure horse therapy is for you? Hear how our horses have helped others:

"Please visit Wildfire Ranch and take a trail ride! They use their horses to heal people from depression, anxiety, and sadness. The power of God works through their horses to heal. On a personal note I have suffered with anxiety since I was little. Since visiting the ranch I have not had to take any of my anxiety medicine! WE had so much fun and it was so peaceful. The rates are very reasonable and no one is turned away because of their financial situation. So do yourself a favor and get out in nature, relax and take a break from your busy schedule. Enjoy yourself!" Tara Tressler, Bellefonte, PA

"I am a military veteran and did 2 tours in Iraq. After I returned I was diagnosed with severe PTSD. I heard about Wildfire Ranch through my Army center so I thought, 'Well the pills ain't doing it so why not?'. My first therapy session Cynthia walked me right into the pasture with 12 horses. Every single one of the horses immediately walked away from us and for some reason that made me angry. I said, 'Look at this! I can't believe it. Every one of them is walking away from me'. Cynthia explained that the horses were reflecting what they sensed in my heart – an alienation from everyone in my life to 'Stay AWAY from me'. But this isolation caused depression and anger that was severely aggravating the PTSD and making me miserable. Despite my quick-trigger temper outbursts Cynthia calmly explained to me that the horses were trying to tell me to let down my guard and allow at least one person into my heart. I did just that and called a buddy who did time with me in Iraq and started staying in touch with him and even hanging out together. I called Cynthia a few weeks later and told her, “This ranch is changing my life.” I can't stop thinking about the horses and the ranch and would recommend every veteran go to Wildfire Ranch at least once." Mike Steinham, Bellefonte, PA

"I am a college student attending PSU for law. I scheduled a horse therapy appointment with Cynthia because of depression, anxiety and despair. I have had Tourettes syndrome most of my life and it caused me to be suicidal in my early teen years. I have struggled with low self-esteem since then. Three therapy sessions later and I realized that I was so used to being a victim I had not even realized that I was successfully overcoming challenges in my life. I had not even noticed that I was not a victim any longer! I signed up for horse lessons and now I am proudly shareboarding Glory shown on the website. I can honestly say that Wildfire Ranch has effected my life so much that I turned down an internship in Texas to be closer to my horse home." Stephanie Guild, State College, PA

"I volunteered with my church youth group out at Wildfire Ranch one Sunday and I was amazed and fascinated by the horses. I asked Cynthia if I could visit regularly to help out with the labor. She gave me trail rides whenever possible and my family started seeing a huge change in me from my Wildfire visits. I am 17 years and have had some suicidal moments, some severe depression. Working with the horses at Wildfire Ranch has literally changed my entire life. The confidence and joy that it's brought to me has extended into all other areas of my life." Clayton Brown, State College, PA

"I know it's been a while but I didn't forget about you. I think the best thing I learned from coming to the farm is that no one knows me better than I do. You told me that your ranch was magical. That something just happens to people after they spend time there. I have to admit, my luck is NEVER that good. EVER! I figured you had a challenge in me. But if it worked...... well my thoughts just never made it that far. Well, your ranch accepted the challenge. After applying to many jobs and going on numerous interviews, I was ready to give up. I was finding jobs I thought I was perfect for and wasn't getting them. I had enough money to last to the end of the month and I was getting 8 hours a week at my job that I hated. So the day after I've given up the phone rings. It's the employment service. She tells me about a job and when could I start. It is 10 minutes from my house, hourly pay that I needed and the hours are great! But I refuse to get excited. It can't be that perfect. So I go on Monday, no interview, just show up. I'm in my 3rd week and it's great! Everyone is so laid back and doesn't get in my personal business. So maybe you were right after all. I've always loved horses and riding and now I believe in the power of the herd." Jodi, State College, PA

Become an Equine Therapist

Learn how to become an Equine Therapist and read about Wildfire Ranch in the news!