There are some powerful reasons why experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to learn. Experiences pull together what we do, what we think, how we feel, and why we want something in order to accomplish a specific goal. When people physically take part in learning activities, the learning sticks.
Why Experiential Learning?
The thing that makes experiential learning with horses different from any other kind of experiential learning opportunity, such as a ropes course, is that youāre interacting with a large, powerful, sentient being. Since the horse is not an inanimate object you get feedback immediately. In fact, the way horses communicate socially can be very similar to how we communicate in teams. You do not need to have any training to accomplish incredible things with the horses in the arena. Once you know what you want, you or your team will communicate that to the horse, problem solve, work on your teamwork skills, ask for help, rely on one another and in the process you will learn so much about yourself and leadership skills in the process. Itās a pretty amazing experience for individuals, teams, leaders and soon-to-be leaders.
Why Horses?
- Life is about relationships. Relationships require communication. It has been said that most of all communication is non-verbal yet many of us are unaware of our own non-verbal communication or the non-verbal communication we receive from others. Horses naturally dwell in the non-verbal world and yet are able to communicate with one another in very specific ways. Through your work with the horses, you will discover how your non-verbal cues and energy affect your relationships and your results in life.
- Working with horses forces you to stay in the moment and focus on the task at hand. Horses provide non-judgmental feedback regardless of your gender, height, weight, or personal life accomplishments. Horses read energy and intention so it is difficult to hide or lie to a horse – and the horse will not hide or lie to you. They can be a perfect reflection from which you can start to improve any part of your life.
- Horses are āforeignā to the majority of people. The majority of people who come to Crossroads Ranch have only seen horses from afar. Some believe horses are like big dogs (not true). Because most people have no prior experience with horses, their focus is heightened and attention is keen which ensures learning becomes more permanent.
Our Staff
Tamra Ranard
Business Ops Director/ Co-Founder
EAL Certified Facilitator
Hello! My name is Tamra and I am an Equine Experiential Learning life coach. I offer classroom training and leadership presentations and will many times partner with horses in experiential learning situations to build life skills such as communication, clarity, consistency, confidence, personal responsibility, focus and fun. After going through a traumatic personal experience at age 52, I decided it was time to pursue my dream and start Crossroads Ranch to share the teaching power of the horse with others. My personal life purpose is to motivate and empower people to FIND, live and protect the abundant (rich & satisfying) life that God gave them.
Cynthia Sanders
Executive Director / Co-Founder
EAL Certified Facilitator
Hi there! Iām Cynthia. My journey began at a local therapeutic horseback riding center, where I gained hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of running a mission-driven organizationāmarketing, operations, event planning, human resources, and accounting. I love planning and details!
One of my greatest passions is helping people discover their purpose and unlock their potential. I believe deeply in the mission of Crossroads Ranch and feel honored to share my love of horses as a catalyst for development, learning, and growth.
Outside of work, youāll find me spending time with my husband, baking up something sweet, strumming on my acoustic guitar, or enjoying the company of our pets.
Alina Sene
Riding Instructor
Senior Camp Counselor
I started my journey at Crossroads Ranch taking riding lessons, and over time, my love for horses and learning just kept growing. With each ride, I gained more confidence and discovered how much I enjoy helping others do the same. Now, Iām proud to be a Riding Instructor and Senior Camp Counselor, sharing what Iāve learned and encouraging others to believe in themselves.
My favorite horse at the ranch is Bear – heās taught me so much about patience, trust, and teamwork. When Iām not at the barn, I love listening to music, spending time with my friends, getting creative with crafts, and being around animals. Crossroads Ranch has truly become my second home, and Iām so grateful for the horses and people whoāve been part of my journey.
Meet the Herd
Diesel
Diesel is a 12 year old blind gelding who reminds us every day that we are so much more than our limitations. Diesel loves to cuddle!
Owner: Tamra Ranard
Bindi
Bindi is a 8 year old feisty mare, extremely sensitive & loving but always bursting with energy! Bindi has the nickname ‘Bindi your best friend’!
Owner: Tamra Ranard
Annie
Annie is a 7 year old miniature horse with a great spunky personality – the perfect Crossroads greeter!
Owner: Tamra Ranard
Rocky
Stoneys Rockin’ Robin (aka Rocky) is a 26 year old paint horse. He is a personality will challenge you to be a true leader.
Owner: Cynthia Sanders
Bear
Brown Bear (aka Bear) is a 13 year old quarter horse. He is one intelligent and curious horse that is always up for a challenge!
Owner: Tamra Ranard
Ebby
Ebby is a 23 year old Tennessee Walker. She stands at a short 14.1 hand high but likes to walk fast. Ebby is a gaited horse which means her gaits are very smooth.
Donated by: Wallace Family
Owner: Crossroads Ranch
Misty
Misty Rose is a 3 year old Percheron Quarter horse draft cross. She has a sweet and caring personality with a lot to learn! As Misty continues to grow, she’ll be around 16 hands high.
Owner: Crossroads Ranch
ODIE
Odie is a 6 year old Haflinger with a very social personality! Odie’s short and stocky statue makes for a nice ride! Being the newest addition to the herd, Odie is learning the ropes!
Donated by: Amy Allen
Owner: Crossroads Ranch
Our other furry friends! 🐾
niko
Lady
harry
Barbie
AndY
tom
sunny
bunny
superman
cone
harley
Our Board members
- Terry McDaniel – Board President
- Carol Gardiner – Vice President
- Tamra Ranard – Treasurer / Director
- Cynthia Sanders – Secretary / Director
- Deb McDaniel – Board Member
- Vicky Hillenburg – Board Member
- Tamara Jacobson – Board Member
- Mary Balle – Board Member
- Jeremy Voyles – Board Member
- Maren Sheese – Board Member
- Holli Truesdel – Board Member
Our certifications
John Maxwell
John Maxwell was named the “#1 Most Influential Business Leader” by the American Business Association. Our sessions pull from Maxwell leadership topics to create a comprehensive curriculum that covers Leadership and Team Building. With over 24,000 members in over 150 nations, the John Maxwell program is the top leadership certification in the world.
Equine Connection – The EAL Network
Specialists in this industry and why we are different is because the foundation of this certification is about the ‘Welfare of the Horse’! Experts are passionate about horses and want to help you learn to hear them in their culture and their language. This well-established Certification began in 2009. We have made it our mission to “partner” with horses versus “using” them as tools. You will learn to hear the horses in their world. It’s an unparalleled student experience.
Equine Connection’s mission is to connect people and horses – empowering both to live their best lives through life-changing, skill-development exercises that will move them forward to a life with purpose!
Equine Experiential Education Association
E3A is a professional membership organization that offers individuals a structured training approach to the corporate, educational, coaching and personal development fields through learning experiences based on the horse/human connection.
E3A works with members to promote the Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) field as a powerful, successful method of learning and development worldwide. E3A’s mission does not include equine-assisted therapy.
Association for Experiential Education
The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is a nonprofit professional membership association dedicated to experiential education and the students, educators, and practitioners who utilize its philosophy. AEE is committed to supporting professional development, theoretical advancement, and the evaluation of Experiential Education Worldwide. We believe learning through experience positively transforms people and our world