What We Offer
Learn about our programs and which one might be the best fit for you!
1:1 Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Sessions
EAL sessions are designed to encourage connection between the student, the horse, and the instructor while developing life skills that the student can use day-to-day.
During each weekly one-on-one session, we will follow a plan consisting of several barn activities. Each hour-long session will include time spent working with the horse (this can be on the ground or riding the horse), and challenges designed to work toward the participant’s goals.
The student has an active role in deciding how they want to spend their time at the barn. Typically, they are paired with the same horse each session. After each session, the instructor will take time to review the participant’s goals, record notes, and develop a plan for future sessions.
Once a student is comfortable with the one-on-one format of these EAL sessions, there is the option to join group sessions as well. This is a great way to build new friendships and relational skills.
EAL is catered primarily toward participants of any age - children, teens, or adults - who are dealing with mental health struggles, disabilities, trauma, or crisis.
We are currently pursuing EAL Facilitator credentials through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.) to bring added value to these EAL sessions.
Fill out the form below to register, and we will be in contact with you to answer any questions, discuss pricing and availability, or schedule a session.
Horsemanship & Riding Lessons
Horsemanship & Riding lessons are designed for beginner equestrians of any age wanting to get into the equine world and learn more. Learn about different breeds of horses, coat colors, gaits, tack, and styles of riding. Learn the history of how horses have shaped our world, how we continue to work alongside them, and how they point us toward God.
While lessons are usually Western-based, there are opportunities to learn English and bareback style riding as well. Enjoy time spent in the arena, on the trails, and around the barn. Learn how to groom, tack up, and care for your horse (see Proverbs 12:10). Gain practical experience working with a variety of horses, each with their unique personalities and stories.
Choose between a one-on-one lesson format or join group lessons to connect with other equestrians and enjoy time in the saddle in our safe, laid-back, fun-loving corner of the equine world.
This experience provides the broad, practical, usable foundation any equestrian needs to safely and comfortably work with horses, branch into specific riding disciplines, to exhibit horses at shows, or even own their own horses someday!
Fill out the form below to register, and we will be in contact with you to answer any questions, discuss pricing and availability, and schedule a visit or lesson.
Upcoming Camps & Retreats
Summer 2025 Camp Program — Silver Birch Ranch
We are excited to open EAL sessions to campers who are registered for SBR Youth and Family camps this summer! Each session focuses on a theme and headed into the summer of 2025, we are focused on the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Our goal is to explore the following questions alongside the horses: What are the fruits of the Spirit? What do they look like practically? How do we see the fruits of the Spirit showing up in our lives?
A session might include the following: Upon arrival at the barn, we will go through an opening exercise - a welcome, prayer time, and setting basic safety rules around the horses. Then we’ll introduce the specific fruit of the Spirit on which we will focus that day. Each session will include reflective questions to discuss, a simple game or activity with the horses related to those questions, and a closing conversation and daily challenge tying the day’s activities together (Check out an example lesson plan here).
If you are registered for an SBR Youth camp this summer, watch for an email with further details!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Riding Adventure Camp (August 2-7, 2025)
Hosted by Silver Birch Ranch, the Riding Adventure Camp is for girls who have completed 6th-8th grades and will teach campers the entry level skills and knowledge of horsemanship. Riding Adventure campers stay together in a cabin and each session is limited to a maximum of eight campers. Each morning is devoted to learning about and riding horses, both in the classroom and through hands-on learning. Riding Adventure campers will have a Bible Time together in the afternoon, and then are merged with the larger camp session in progress for afternoon free time activities and evening activities including the evening Chapel session.
As time and weather allow, we often include a trail ride & picnic with the horses in the woods and a fun horse show to showcase the skills learned throughout the week.
See this page for more information or to register for this exciting camp!
Past Camps & Retreats
Adoption Family Retreat (March 7-9, 2025)
During the Silver Birch Ranch Adoption Family Retreat weekend, North Star Stables partnered with 15 adopted and foster children and their families to experience equine-assisted learning (EAL) sessions. These sessions were faith-based, hands-on, and tons of fun! This year we talked about Psalm 139 and what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made, and what makes each person (and horse) wonderful.
EAL sessions focus on providing the tools for children to build life skills that will benefit them day-to-day. The relational nature God has designed horses with provides a perfect backdrop to develop friendships, learn boundaries, build stronger communication skills, and to grow in confidence and leadership.
A huge thank you goes to Heidi Gossen and Elise Baird from Crossfire Ranch, an equine-assisted growth and learning facility near Manitowoc, for helping us design the adoption retreat sessions this year.
Let’s work together.
Do you have a larger group that would like to plan a field trip, professional development day, or participate in an equine retreat? Perhaps you have an idea for a service that you don’t see listed above? We would love to work with you to create an equine experience that serves your specific needs. Contact us with your thoughts and we can chat!