Handle With Care Ranch & Holistic Center
Horses, movement, mindfulness, and meaningful practice—meeting you where you are
Handle With Care Ranch & Holistic Center is a place where people can build confidence, connection, and resilience through experiences with horses, movement, mindfulness, and community. No previous horse experience is required.
How to begin
Three small steps
Some people come to learn about horses. Others come to reconnect with themselves, strengthen relationships, or practice meeting challenges differently. No previous horse experience is required.
-
Schedule a conversation
A free 30-minute Wellness & Ranch Experience Consultation to talk about your goals, answer questions, and help you choose the right offering.
-
Choose an experience
Horse Time, groundwork, Equine-Assisted Learning, coaching, yoga, or a group program — matched to where you are, not where you think you should be.
-
Come to the Ranch
Arrive in closed-toe shoes, meet the herd, and progress at your own pace. Touching or riding a horse is never required.
Experiences
There is more than one way to begin
Some people come to spend quiet time with a horse. Some want to learn groundwork or riding skills. Others are looking for coaching, movement, mindfulness, or a meaningful group experience.
Start with a horse
Horse Time & Connection and Guided Groundwork — a gentle first visit or a guided unmounted lesson. Beginner riding is on an interest list until it is ready to book.
Equine-Assisted Learning
Ground-based experiences with horses that invite reflection, awareness, communication, and practical learning. No horse experience or riding is required.
Horse Club
Youth and family horsemanship: safety, grooming, leading, groundwork, and barn skills. Join the interest list for the next cohort.
Coaching & Leadership
Individual and group coaching that turns insight into practical action — with or without the horses.
Movement & Mindfulness
Yoga, guided meditation, breathwork, Yoga Nidra, and restorative practice for individuals and groups.
Groups & Retreats
Customized workshops, retreats, and partnerships for teams, veteran organizations, nonprofits, and wellness providers.
Who comes here
Individuals, families, veterans, professionals, teams, and supporters.
Founder
Meet Shannon Waters-Mitchell
Shannon Waters-Mitchell is the founder and director of Handle With Care Ranch & Holistic Center and Handle With Care Ranch Foundation, Inc. She is a U.S. Navy Gulf War veteran, cancer survivor, equestrian professional, and wellness educator.
She creates a low-pressure place to begin—whether someone is meeting a horse for the first time, rebuilding confidence, or looking for movement and wellness practices that feel accessible.
- U.S. Navy Gulf War veteran
- PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Learning micro-credential
- Unbeatable Mind Life Coach
- Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200, RYT 500, YACEP
Meet the herd
Individuals, teachers, and partners
Skipper, Zeus, and Clark each bring a different history, personality, communication style, and set of strengths to the Ranch. Our approach is based on relationship rather than performance alone.
Foundation
Make access possible
Handle With Care Ranch Foundation, Inc. is a separate tax-exempt nonprofit organization created to expand access through scholarships, sponsored participation, veteran initiatives, and community programming as funding becomes available.
Not sure where to begin?
Tell us what you are interested in, whether you have previous horse experience, and what kind of support or experience you are seeking. We will help you identify an appropriate next step.