Blue Hearts & Hoofbeats

Equine assisted therapy for Law enforcement

Blue HeARTs & Hoofbeats is a collaboration between Ridgeway & Associates and Art, Heart, & Hoofbeats - a 501C3 non-profit Horse Rescue and Sanctuary near Chaska, Minnesota.

If you are a first responder employee at one of our contracted agencies with our full program, please consider signing up for a group equine session below! These are a chance to get to see the farm, meet the horses, learn about horses and equine assisted therapy, and try some additional offerings as well. Starting in Sept 2025 we have Check-Ins with an Equine Partner options in our check-in scheduling app. Individual and couples equine therapy with Marie can also be scheduled by emailing Marie. We are so excited to see you at the farm!

By the way, the horses in the pictures on this page are some of the ones you will be meeting! In front of the big blue sky here is Axel Rose, in the background is Ozzie, and check out Zeus the Mini Horse at the bottom of the page :)

What is Equine Assisted Therapy?

Horses are prey animals so they wake up every day needing to be very aware of their surroundings. Horses can read human emotion in a very honest way and they will behave in response to your interactions with them. Horses assist clients through the feedback they give you and the connection you build with them. All done with boots on the ground (no riding) and the help of a licensed therapist and an equine specialist.

Feedback From Group Session Attendees

  • Today was wonderful. It was a good reminder to slow down, horses have no agenda.

    First Responder Attendee

  • This was amazing, I learned how to regulate in a new way. I gained a sense of calm and connection.

    First Responder Attendee

  • I loved this and will be returning. I arrived feeling uncertain but something I gained from today was more confidence. The only thing that could have made today better would have been more time.

    First Responder Attendee

Meet A Few of the horses at the sanctuary