Common Questions
These are the questions people most often ask before arriving. If you’re wondering about something else, you’re always welcome to reach out get in touch.
Getting Oriented
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No.
Many people arrive with little or no experience around horses or animals. There’s no expectation to handle, ride, or interact in any particular way. Sessions are shaped around where you’re starting — not what you already know.
Explore the Ranch → -
That’s a very normal place to begin.
You don’t need to arrive feeling confident or clear. We take time to orient gently and move at a pace that feels manageable. Nothing is rushed. -
When you arrive, you’ll come to the main gate at the entrance to the ranch.
Use the speaker box at the gate to let us know you’re here. We’ll open the gate and let you in.
There’s no need to know where to go next.
Just arrive and take it one step at a time.
Explore the Ranch → -
Cowgirl Up Ranch is located in Burson, California, a rural foothills area shaped by ranching, open land, and wide skies.
For fuel, food, coffee, or basic supplies, Valley Springs is about a 10-minute drive from the ranch.
It’s close enough to be practical — and far enough away that the ranch remains quiet and spacious.
Explore the Ranch →
How the Work Happens
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Sessions take place at our ranch in Burson, California.
Some therapy sessions begin in a quiet indoor office, with animals nearby. Others take place outdoors with horses or other animals, by choice.
Workshops and group offerings are usually held in the covered arena or other spaces around the ranch, depending on weather and the nature of the work. -
There’s no standard formula.
Sessions might include time with horses or other animals, quiet observation, gentle movement, conversation, or stillness. Sometimes the plan shifts, pauses, or ends early.
The focus is always on safety, consent, and responding to what’s present.
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No.
Direct interaction is always optional. Some people spend time nearby, observing, or working with other animals instead. Choice and consent apply to every part of the experience. -
For therapy sessions, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are usually best. You don’t need to bring anything special, unless there’s something personal that helps you feel settled or supported.
For workshops and retreats, any specific clothing or items to bring will be listed on the individual event page.
That’s it — simple, clear, and expectation-setting without adding weight.
Who This Is For
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HorseSpeak works with teens, individuals, adults, and families, depending on the offering.
Specific age guidelines are listed on individual pages, and we’re happy to clarify beforehand.
Counseling →
Adaptive & Therapeutic Riding →
Workshops →
Retreats → -
Yes.
HorseSpeak works in ways that respect sensory needs, pacing, physical access, and individual nervous systems. We work with neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities, including through adaptive riding.
Sessions and programs are adapted where possible, depending on the offering and physical requirements. We welcome sharing any needs or preferences so we can respond thoughtfully.
Counseling →
Adaptive & Therapeutic Riding →
Workshops →
Retreats → -
Speaking is never required.
Silence, minimal communication, or non-verbal presence are all valid ways of participating. You’re welcome to share only what feels right for you.
About Therapy & Services
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Some offerings are licensed psychotherapy and involve licensed professionals. Others are experiential, educational, or reflective.
If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, that’s okay. We can help clarify what fits — without assuming or labelling your experience.
Counseling →
Adaptive & Therapeutic Riding →
Workshops →
Retreats → -
That’s a very common starting point.
You don’t need to arrive with clarity or a plan. A conversation is often the first step in understanding what might be supportive — or whether HorseSpeak is the right fit at all.
Care & Safety
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Your safety and wellbeing matter here. Activities are guided thoughtfully, with attention to physical safety, emotional boundaries, and individual comfort levels. You’ll never be asked to do anything that feels unsafe, forced, or beyond your capacity, and you’re always free to pause, step back, or choose a different way of participating.
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Yes.
The animals are respected as sentient partners, not tools. Their wellbeing, consent, and natural rhythms are central to how HorseSpeak operates. Interactions are guided with care for both human and animal safety.
If something here is still unclear, you don’t need to figure it out alone.
You can contact us.