About Bearfoot’s History & Future

Bearfoot Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit equestrian center dedicated to providing therapeutic riding lessons and other riding activities in a safe, effective and compassionate environment.

The center furthers our students' knowledge of horses; offers lessons to children and individuals with special needs regardless of ability; and challenges them to reach their potential through the love of horses.

Bearfoot Ranch also acts as a rescue facility for horses that have been abused or neglected. We work closely with local authorities to rescue and rehabilitate horses that have been abused or neglected.

Bearfoot Ranch Sign

Established in 1997

Bearfoot Ranch was established in 1997 by Darrith Russell, Melanie Vaughan and Edie Ahola.

Although our web site and Facebook page may be new, we have had horses together for over 30 years. Ginger Smith and Rachelle Dunn joined the group in 2009. Recently we served as a host farm to a therapy group and were inspired to work on our own certification.

Currently, Rachael Burns is our PATH-certified instructor and is scheduled to be finished her ESMHL (Equine Specialist Mental Health and Learning) certification in October. PATH certification. PATH (Professions Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) promotes equine-assisted activities and therapies for people with special needs. Bearfoot Ranch services are available to children and all people with special needs, regardless of ability.

Rachael actually trained under one of our founders Edie Ahola before serving at Hands and Hearts for Horses in Thomasville GA. We were delighted to welcome her as the new director of our PATH program.

Rachael is in the process of riding our herd and picking the best of the best for our PATH herd and training up our army of volunteers. She brings years of experience, a positive outlook, generous nature, and a big heart for our special community of people and horses. When she's not at Bearfoot, she spends time with her sweet horses RJ and Rosie.

Donate to help Atlas

Sponsor Atlas

Atlas is a horse who was discarded when he couldn’t pull a plow.

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Donate to help Reba

Sponsor Reba

Reba has kissing spine and needs surgery so she can thrive and be a part of our lesson program.

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Donate to help Lincoln

Sponsor Lincoln

Lincoln is a 13-year-old, beautiful, large Dutch Warmblood Cross who had the bad misfortune of working as an Amish buggy horse. He was inhumanely driven and beaten with chains until he was broken and could no longer serve. His Amish master discarded him at The New Holland Auction Barn where most slaughter buyers come to purchase unwanted horses.

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Donate to help Tebo

Sponsor Tebo

Tebo was found tied to a tree and was rescued. He was then adopted by his mom and brought to Bearfoot Ranch where he serves as a therapeutic lesson horse for children. During an encounter with Tebo, an autistic child spoke for the first time.

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Atlas - A horse saved from the kill pen

Meet Atlas – Rescued From the Kill Pen

Rescued from a Kill Pen! How did Atlas end up at the age of ten where his only two options were to be purchased within 30 days or be crammed onto a truck with other disposable horses headed to certain death?

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Tibo the rescue horse and Lydia

Sweet New Horse at Bearfoot Ranch

Amazing bond between a horse and the woman who adopted him.

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