Kulia i ka Nu’u
”to rise above”
At The Spirit Horse Ranch, we believe that healing is not just a process, but a journey that we take together.
Our mission is to provide transformative equine-assisted services that foster trauma recovery, suicide prevention, and resilience building for individuals and communities.
We are dedicated to supporting children, first responders, mental health practitioners, and families through innovative, compassionate programs. With a commitment to excellence and a wealth of experience, we aim to create a healing sanctuary that empowers people to overcome challenges and thrive.
We envision a world where individuals from all walks of life, especially those facing personal crises and trauma, find healing, resilience, and empowerment through the transformative bond between humans and horses.
We have created a sanctuary where children, first responders, and communities affected by adversity, crisis and disasters can rebuild their lives, discover their inner strength, and foster lasting connections.
The Spirit Horse is located in verdant, pristine, sacred, undeveloped country on the southwest side of Haleakalā, with a combined 132 acres of lush land.
Our pristine location allows our participants to feel Maui’s energy, one which is nurturing and motherly, giving it the name “Mother Maui”.
The program is housed on Triple L Ranch, one of the few remaining Paniolo working cattle ranches on Maui established in 1947 and operated by the DePonte family. Additionally, the program serves as a sanctuary for the retired Triple L Ranch Horses to love and be loved!
Just up the road from The Spirit Horse Ranch, Haleakalā not only provides spectacular views, it radiates a special kind of energy through highly magnetic iron oxide rocks and a frequency which matches the human heart. In this environment, we find ourselves connecting on a deeper level, allowing us to move more freely and feel more deeply.
A Sanctuary for Healing Hearts
The need for a haven like The Spirit Horse Ranch has never been more critical.
Nationally, 8% (10 million) girls and 0.7% (791K) boys under age 18 have been sexually, physically, or mentally assaulted. Experiencing sexual violence as a child makes it more likely the survivor will experience re-victimization in adulthood, with 30% of adult rape victims having been first assaulted before they were 18.
With the mental health of our children already in a tenuous state, the global pandemic further exacerbated the situation. COVID-19 and the resulting lock downs brought fear and anxiety, leading to both short-term and long-term psycho-social and mental health implications for children and adolescents. Lock downs and school closures have left many children stuck with their abusers, without the safe space that school would normally offer. Our vulnerable children are even more at risk in these challenging times. Suicidal idealization is at an all-time high.
Additionally, economic adversity, job loss, and inflation have been observed as a precursor to harsh parenting and a risk factor for psychological maltreatment and physical abuse. The devastation caused by the 2023 Maui wildfires has further intensified the need for mental health support in the community. The trauma experienced by survivors, especially children, has created an urgent demand for healing and resilience-building services.
We need your ongoing support to grow our unique programs to heal, encourage and educate participants on their journey to freedom.
Help Maui heal by making a tax-deductible charitable donation today!
We are a 501(c)3 Nonprofit recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity. We greatly need your support to allow us to provide free services to our Maui keiki and community.
