About Us

At Equine Elevated, we are committed to horses' healing and growth power and their ability to inspire healing, connection, and growth. Founded by Danielle Carlson, a licensed marriage and family therapist with a strong passion for horses, Equine Elevated offers unique, Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning experiences that allow individuals, teams, and groups to overcome obstacles, improve communication, and build stronger connections.

Our vision is to establish a safe, supportive space in which people can move beyond their usual patterns and discover new approaches to relating to themselves and others. Whether you're looking for personal growth, team-building, or a fun and memorable retreat, equine-assisted activities can stir profound understanding and facilitate long-term change.

Along with our horses, we are fortunate to have a range of other animals that contribute significantly to our programs. Our dogs, cats, rabbit, and chickens are part of the therapeutic process, providing companionship, emotional support, and a sense of calm. These animals provide a unique opportunity for participants to connect with a diverse range of animals, helping to foster empathy, patience, and trust in a nurturing environment. Maybe it's a quiet visit with one of our rabbits, playtime with our canine pack, or gentle observation of chicken routines, but whatever the pet, 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.