About Us

At Equine Elevated, we are passionate about the transformative power of horses and their ability to inspire growth, healing, and connection. Founded by Danielle Carlson, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a lifelong love for horses, Equine Elevated offers unique, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning experiences that help individuals, teams, and groups overcome challenges, improve communication, and build stronger connections.

Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming space where people can step outside their everyday routines and discover new ways to engage with themselves and others. Whether you're looking for personal growth, team-building, or simply a fun and memorable retreat, we believe that working with horses can unlock profound insights and foster lasting change.

In addition to our horses, we are fortunate to have a variety of other animals that play an important role in our programs. Our dogs, cats, rabbit, and chickens are an integral part of the therapeutic experience, offering companionship, emotional support, and a sense of calm. These animals provide a unique opportunity for participants to connect with a diverse range of creatures, helping to foster empathy, patience, and trust in a nurturing environment. Whether it's a quiet moment with a rabbit, a playful interaction with our dogs, or observing the gentle rhythms of the chickens, each animal adds to the peaceful and welcoming atmosphere at Equine Elevated.

Our Approach

At Equine Elevated, we specialize in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). These modalities use the natural behavior of horses to help individuals and groups develop new skills, gain self-awareness, and improve interpersonal relationships. Through hands-on activities with horses, participants learn valuable life skills such as communication, trust-building, leadership, and problem-solving.

Our sessions are customized to meet the specific needs of each individual or group, with no prior horse experience required. We focus on ground-based activities—meaning no riding is involved—so everyone can engage in a meaningful way, regardless of their background.

  • "Yes, and..." is a key concept in improvisational theater, meaning accepting what's presented and building upon it. This mindset can be applied to life and therapy, helping us to accept and improve our situations. In sessions, "Yes, and..." can promote growth by exploring new possibilities without judgment. This mindset encourages openness, change, and resilience.

  • Horses are known for their gentle and intuitive nature, which makes them great companions for people looking to connect with the present moment and find inner peace. They are also highly sensitive and can sense our emotions, making them great partners for emotional growth and healing. Many people find that spending time with horses helps them to connect with their own inner wisdom and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals. Whether you want to experience greater joy, reduce stress, or simply spend time in nature, horses can be a wonderful source of support and guidance.

  • Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) sessions are for individuals, couples, and families looking for move beyond stuck areas of interpersonal, emotional, and behavioral challenges that effect mental health. EAP is a team approach with a mental health professional and an equine specialist.

    Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions are for teams from businesses, schools, health care organizations, and non-profits who are looking for ways to grow and improve outcomes. EAL is an experiential education process based on the understanding that horses can help us learn new, more innovative ways of thinking about behavior and how we interact with others. 


  • Equine Elevated focuses on mental health goals, so riding horses is not our focus. We do have an option for you to learn to ride though! Danielle does provide beginner lessons at our facility and we can also refer you to other fantastic riding lesson instructors in our area. If you’d like to set up a riding lesson let Danielle and we can get you scheduled.