Our Story
Founded in the Spring of 2015 and set back on a wooded 40 acres in Lowell, MI, The Barn For Equine Learning is a quiet and peaceful place for people to come and connect, learn, and grow. The Barn is a peaceful sanctuary, offering a learning environment that makes it easy to stay present and in the moment. Like many who visit The Barn, it has been a place that has undergone much hardship, healing, growth, and positive change. The Barn began without even a barn, but with big dreams. Our first participants met in a grassy field, using the trailer as a hitching post and the trails as our arena. The Barn has come a long way, overcoming many obstacles. The Barn was able to build a beautiful 12 stall barn in that first year to house our four legged companions. The Barn hosted many people over the next couple of years, being a location for meeting, learning and growing. It was a dry place to meet in the spring Michigan rains, and a warmer place for our horses to sleep during cold Michigan winters.
The original barn was lost in April, 2017 to a tragic fire. Even more devastating, thirteen of our wonderful horses were also lost in this fire. It took time for all involved running The Barn, as well as those who had been impacted by The Barn’s programs and our horses, to grieve and mourn the loss of our wonderful, dynamic herd. Despite the hurt and loss, the need for The Barn's programs and services in our community offered the needed perseverance to push forward and rebuild.
With an overwhelming amount of community support, grit and determination, The Barn has risen from the ashes and continues to provide the services and programs that we are so passionate to offer. The Barn's herd has grown, adding horses that needed a safe place to live and horses that can meet the many needs of our programs and services. Our herd is special, dynamic, and able to carry out unique and needed services. This can mean standing quietly to be groomed by a child who is scared of horses or carrying an experienced rider over a series of jumps.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We are committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion through our programs and the way we welcome every person who walks through The Barn doors.
Our vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people belong here and deserve fairness, equal participation, access to services and inclusivity. We will not tolerate discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind. Regardless of race, socio-economic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, or marital status, we are an organization that celebrates the diversity of our community.
The Barn is proactive in reaching out to diverse populations, such as residential programs for youth in foster care, residents living in assisted living, people living in poverty and those experiencing developmental/physical disabilities.
The Barn incorporates DEI practices into every program we run. Through the You Belong Here programs, we offer experiences that range from increasing horsemanship and riding skills, deepening mindfulness and enriching lives through counseling services. You Belong Here includes riding lessons, herd meditation, therapy services, community events, youth summer camps and more.
The Barn also offers Strong Futures through Equine Connections, which provides pro bono and low cost services to individuals and organizations experiencing financial hardship so that everyone can have access to impactful equine programming. Equine programs and mental health services have often been accessible to primarily affluent populations, but The Barn recognizes the importance of making equine services available to all. Additionally, due to The Barn’s rural location, the mental health services provided at The Barn offer access in an area with limited counseling services available.