Outdoor Activities, and Mental Health Counseling in Cottonwood, CA.
Our equine therapy programs provide a different way to build resilience and find emotional balance. Working alongside certified specialists and our horses, you can find the strength to move past life's obstacles in a truly supportive environment. We hold sessions year-round in our covered arena, so you’ll always have a consistent, welcoming space to focus on your journey.
Equine-Assisted Mental Health and Learning
A natural approach to emotional wellness
Improve Your Mental Health
DLB Ranch is a non-profit equestrian ranch located in Cottonwood, CA. We offer a variety of equestrian events and activities that are designed to help participants improve their mental health and overall well-being.
Our services include equine-assisted mental health services and hands-on, educational activities that can help adults and children struggling with anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, addiction, and more. Spending time with our horses can help individuals increase their confidence, and self-esteem, and provides a healthy outlet for managing stress and other emotional difficulties.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our services, please contact us today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your interest in DLB Ranch!
The Mission at DLB Ranch
DLB Ranch is dedicated to creating social and economic development within harmonious communities by utilizing the power of horses. Through Equine Assisted Mental Health Services & Education, and other modalities, individuals and groups can improve and enrich their spiritual, emotional, and physical health. To find out more about the amazing therapeutic benefits of horses, get in touch with us today.
Professional support on the ground
How Our Therapy Works
We use the EAGALA model for our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy, which is the gold standard for safety and results in this field. Every session includes a licensed mental health professional and a certified equine specialist working together with you. We do not do any riding in these sessions because we find that working with horses on the ground is more effective for personal growth. Since horses communicate through body language and energy, they offer immediate and honest feedback. This helps you recognize patterns in your own life and relationships that you might not have noticed before.
Building confidence through experience
Learning and Personal Growth
If you are looking for personal development or a way to help a team work better together, our Equine-Assisted Learning program is a great fit. This is not a classroom environment. Instead, it is hands-on learning that is perfect for students needing a boost or professional groups looking to improve communication. By working through activities with the horses, you will learn how to solve problems, set healthy boundaries, and stay calm under pressure. The horses provide the challenge, and you provide the solution. The confidence you build at the ranch stays with you long after you leave, helping you handle whatever life throws your way.
Learn More About What We Do
Our Equine Assisted Mental Health Services offer many benefits to individuals, groups, and families that specifically address mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. One of our sessions is designed to address mental health and human development issues quickly, directly, and effectively.
We at DLB Ranch incorporate Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), using horses as tools to gain understanding and personal insights into human nature. This includes having fun with horses under the guidance of a Certified Equine Specialist. These fun activities are effective for establishing boundaries and improving problem-solving skills. EAL sessions encourage critical thinking about life in different ways to help expand our knowledge of what is possible. EAL can be scheduled for an individual or a group.
DLB Ranch, Inc has Certified Equine Specialists that have been trained and certified through Greg Kersten – OK Corral Series program.
Training is ongoing continuously. Night Star Ranch, which is the facility that is used - hosts clinics for training Greg on an annual basis. Night Star Ranch also has a covered arena which allows for year-round training. For more information or to schedule a session, please call (530) 360-0427.
EIN #(530) 360-0427
Services for Mental Health Assistance
Education
Equine Assisted Learning consists of activities done with horses that are geared toward experiential learning & can help individuals achieve goals.
Outdoor Activities
Caring for horses are acts that enable individuals to engage in physical activity, which in itself, helps improve overall well-being.
Counseling & Mental Health
Equine Assisted Mental Health Services have been proven to help individuals work through issues, such as anxiety, depression, addiction, grief, and more.
Activities for Small Groups
Equine Assisted Learning activities are offered to small groups. These activities can be used to reengage students in academic learning.
Activities for Large groups
Services available to schools, assisted living places and wrap-around programs.
Our Horses. Our Heroes.
Horses do the work of teaching and healing through a variety of equine-assisted applications which include education (both classroom and experiential), at-risk youth programs, alcohol & drug recovery programs, holistic health programs, mental health counseling, coaching, and workplace training.
Individuals with a variety of training and experience enter the field of teaching and healing with horses including mental health counselors, educators, holistic health practitioners, coaches, organizational development professionals, workplace trainers, as well as professional horse people.
Equine Assisted Learning and Equine-Facilitated Experiential Learning
EAL/EFEL consists of a variety of activities, done with horses, that are geared toward experiential learning. Equine-assisted learning or equine-facilitated experiential learning activities are typically offered to groups, from smaller to larger.
Learning activities can be used to reengage students in academic learning, including high-risk adolescents in alternative school programs. Typically, the clients participate in an activity with the horses on the ground, and the trained facilitator guides the learning process. Rather than focusing on personal issues, the focus is on concepts and principles, such as character development and empathy.
Finding Your Way to Emotional Well-being
Using the unique bond between horses and humans to help you get through life's toughest moments.
At DLB Ranch, we have seen firsthand how horses can help people change their lives. Our equine-assisted mental health services offer a different way to work through emotional challenges, providing a peaceful, supportive place where you can build resilience and find your footing again.
Professional, Proven Methods
We use established models like EAGALA and the OK Corral Series. Every session pairs a licensed therapist with a certified equine specialist to make sure you receive high-quality, professional support.
Support for Specific Challenges
We specialize in helping people work through anxiety, depression, grief, and addiction. Horses have a natural ability to pick up on our feelings, which helps us understand and process emotions in a way that traditional talk therapy sometimes can't.
Learning by Doing
By working through ground-based activities with our horses, you will build the practical problem-solving skills and confidence you need to take on whatever life throws your way.
Support in Every Season
Healing doesn't take a break for the weather. Our covered arena at Nightstar Ranch means your sessions can continue year-round, so your progress stays on track regardless of the forecast.
