Horses, humans, and nature 

“It truly was a perfect day.  We’ve gotten amazing feedback from our clients that they loved and appreciated the ride. Your collaboration made it safe and easy. Thanks so much to you all!”  –Julie Larson, Giant Steps Program Director 

For anyone who has ever been on horseback, there is a certain joy and freedom that goes along with the experience. Being carried along by a horse and the feeling of connection with the horse’s movements can be simultaneously peaceful and thrilling. For those who haven’t ridden, these feelings of connection, freedom, and peace can be experienced in nature. The connection to other living things in a landscape can bring a similar sense of peace and being alive. In a new pilot program between Audubon Canyon Ranch and Giant Steps Therapeutic Equestrian Center, nature and horseback riding are harmonizing, offering much-needed open space access for riders in Giant Steps’ therapeutic riding program.   

Not just any open space 

Giant Steps provides equine assisted therapeutic programs, helping people of all ages to overcome physical, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and developmental challenges through riding and groundwork programs with horses. These programs take place almost entirely in a riding ring, where safety and control can be monitored. However, according to Giant Steps Executive Director Libby Porzig, Giant Steps riders have given consistent feedback that they want access to nature on horseback. As Porzig said, “Nature is not equally accessible to everyone, and people with disabilities face many barriers to accessing outdoor recreation.” Finding inclusive and accessible open spaces for Giant Steps riders has been both a challenge and source of inspiration that has motivated their community.   

The process of identifying nature areas for its riders was not a simple exercise for Giant Steps. Bikes, dogs, motorized vehicles, and even other hikers can easily scare horses. Along with the needs of the horses, Giant Steps staff had other considerations to make. They needed suitable and safe trails for the support team to walk beside the riders on horseback. Giant Steps also wanted a place for their riders to feel the peace of being out in nature that was “truly spectacular,” as Porzig said, as well as being near enough to their Petaluma home base for transporting the horses.  

Taking the step together 

When it came time to select a place for this pilot program, Audubon Canyon Ranch’s Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen was at the top of the list for Porzig. She was already familiar with Audubon Canyon Ranch as a leader in Bay Area land stewardship, which fulfilled the requirement of an intact and beautiful ecosystem. Tom Gardali, Audubon Canyon Ranch CEO, shepherded the initial conversation with Giant Steps, which led to a tour of Bouverie Preserve with Research Ecologist Jen Potts. After identifying a safe, well-suited, and beautiful trail on the preserve, Giant Steps trainers prepared the horses for the outdoor excursion and supporters provided funding for a portable mounting block for the riders.  

A perfect day 

After several months of careful planning, on October 13, a small group of Giant Steps riders, a ground support team, and the horses Pierre and Buster experienced a brilliant fall day at Bouverie Preserve. The riders traveled along spacious paths, following a loop trail in the oak savanna through sun-dappled shade and warmed by the sun. In the fall, Bouverie Preserve is filled with the songs of Golden-crowned Sparrows in call and response across the fields and Acorn Woodpeckers, busy and noisily filing away their caches in the oaks. The riders were welcomed by these and other wildlife sounds as they took in the dazzling expanse of distant hills across Sonoma Valley.  

Both Audubon Canyon Ranch and Giant Steps teams were beaming after the success of the first ride. Jen Potts, Bouverie Preserve Research Ecologist, was also present at the ride and shared her excitement at the prospect of making the preserve accessible for more Giant Steps riders. Giant Steps was also delighted about the shared success. As Porzig said about the pilot program, “We are committed to offering trail rides to all of our clients in the future.”  

Your support helps provide equitable access to Audubon Canyon Ranch’s preserves. Donate, become a member, or get involved today.