Our Impact
Horses Change Lives Every Day at Lost Creek Ranch
Improve Mental Health, Self-Regulation, Focus and Communication
Rescue and therapeutic riding programs entail significant operational costs, yet their outcomes are truly invaluable, as exemplified by Claire John's inspiring journey. Formerly struggling with suicidal thoughts, this resilient teenager unearthed newfound strengths and fostered positive mental well-being through her involvement in Lost Creek Ranch's Therapeutic Riding Programs. Today, the high school senior is enthusiastically exploring numerous biochemistry college scholarship opportunities.
Claire's Story
"In 2018, I was struggling. I was on the brink of ending my life pretty much every day. My parents and I happened to stumble upon Lost Creel Ranch (LCR), while looking for any and every kind of help. Simply going to take a tour of the ranch, feeling the welcoming energy, began to change my situation for the better. I began to go once a week, then twice, then I got out there as often as humanly possible. Just thinking about going to the barn helped me get through my day. I would count down the minutes until was able to see my four-legged friends again. (See Claire’s full editorial here)
Adrianne's Story
I’ve been participating in various riding programs at Lost Creek Ranch for more than 15 years now. Although I originally began riding purely for enjoyment in my early 60s, I quickly discovered its other benefits.
Riding has improved my core strength and my mental health. I definitely find that I am happier and less stressed when I’m able to ride. My doctor says it’s good for my heart (lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health), but I love it for other reasons too. It’s provided a great avenue for me to engage with and make new friends with people of all ages, social and economic backgrounds. It keeps me sharp. I’m always thinking about the next command or obstacle ahead, and like that my riding experience is never exactly the same. Riding calms me and helps make me feel better able to face the stressors ahead. And now that I’m in my 70’s, it’s a particularly good prescription for preventing future pitfalls.
I’ve also witnessed the lifechanging benefits of Lost Creek Ranch's therapeutic riding programs, which have been credited with suicide prevention, improving the cognitive and emotional health of countless participants (many with neurological conditions), and helping cancer survivors cope. I can definitely attest that my riding experience at Lost Creek Ranch has been an exceptional one. The work they do here matters to many.
Adrianne Lemberg
Hudson, Wisconsin
Riding has improved my core strength and my mental health. I definitely find that I am happier and less stressed when I’m able to ride. My doctor says it’s good for my heart (lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health), but I love it for other reasons too. It’s provided a great avenue for me to engage with and make new friends with people of all ages, social and economic backgrounds. It keeps me sharp. I’m always thinking about the next command or obstacle ahead, and like that my riding experience is never exactly the same. Riding calms me and helps make me feel better able to face the stressors ahead. And now that I’m in my 70’s, it’s a particularly good prescription for preventing future pitfalls.
I’ve also witnessed the lifechanging benefits of Lost Creek Ranch's therapeutic riding programs, which have been credited with suicide prevention, improving the cognitive and emotional health of countless participants (many with neurological conditions), and helping cancer survivors cope. I can definitely attest that my riding experience at Lost Creek Ranch has been an exceptional one. The work they do here matters to many.
Adrianne Lemberg
Hudson, Wisconsin
Maya's Story
"I came to Lost Creek Ranch in 2021. I just got done with a long eight your battle with the system. The system had me in an out of psychiatric hospital treatment center group homes, foster home, even detention centers. When I came to Lost Creek Ranch I just got kicked out of my last group home. The courts, my social workers, all said if something does not change, she will be dead, or in jail. No one could help me. I got put in a program called CC which lead me to Lost Creek Ranch. I remember the first time I came to lost creek I was just a mad depressed, suicidal kid done with the world.
I Remember getting on my first horse Benny. I don’t know if it was him or just riding, but something clicked and I kept coming back two times a week. My grades got better in school. I was able to hold down a job. I made s friends at the ranch. My mental health was improving, even most importantly, it got me out of the house and toxic environment I was living in.
Lost Creek Ranch to me was not just riding horses. It was a second home. don’t get me wrong- it was not all butterflies and rainbows. These horses are just like me. They’ve all been through something. all these horses came from traumatizing backgrounds and for me that really helped me grow to know I’m growing with them. Sometimes you don’t want to talk to a person cus all people don’t get what you go through but the horses know what you’re going through they can feel what you feel.
I recently graduated from CCS. Now I come to Lost Creek Ranch on my own terms. Thanks a lot to Lost Creek Ranch I got accepted into two colleges, graduated high school have my own apartment have my own car. I have a dog and two cats. I have friends. If I did not find Lost Creek Ranch I would have nothing. I am glad that I found Lost Creek Ranch- a lot of kids we’re not as lucky as me. A lot of these kids have fallen thru the cracks but I’m not one of them thanks to Lost Creek Ranch. My name is Maya Caples and this is my story."
I Remember getting on my first horse Benny. I don’t know if it was him or just riding, but something clicked and I kept coming back two times a week. My grades got better in school. I was able to hold down a job. I made s friends at the ranch. My mental health was improving, even most importantly, it got me out of the house and toxic environment I was living in.
Lost Creek Ranch to me was not just riding horses. It was a second home. don’t get me wrong- it was not all butterflies and rainbows. These horses are just like me. They’ve all been through something. all these horses came from traumatizing backgrounds and for me that really helped me grow to know I’m growing with them. Sometimes you don’t want to talk to a person cus all people don’t get what you go through but the horses know what you’re going through they can feel what you feel.
I recently graduated from CCS. Now I come to Lost Creek Ranch on my own terms. Thanks a lot to Lost Creek Ranch I got accepted into two colleges, graduated high school have my own apartment have my own car. I have a dog and two cats. I have friends. If I did not find Lost Creek Ranch I would have nothing. I am glad that I found Lost Creek Ranch- a lot of kids we’re not as lucky as me. A lot of these kids have fallen thru the cracks but I’m not one of them thanks to Lost Creek Ranch. My name is Maya Caples and this is my story."
Our Success
Every nonprofit has its own unique story. Since our establishment in 2000, Lost Creek Ranch has supported more than 1,600 riders, generating numerous success stories. According to performance surveys, 100% of our therapeutic riders report establishing heightened trust with others and the development of new friendships. Increased confidence is among the many achievements of respondents, 70% of whom affirm that their confidence significantly surged as a result of their participation in Lost Creek Ranch's therapeutic riding programs.
1600 Served Since 2000. 100% of Participants Established Trust. 70% Exponentially Increased Confidence. 100% Made Friends.