Healing Horsemanship, Lessons and Equine education
Learn about horses and their healing presence.
Healing Horsemanship, Lessons and Equine education
Learn about horses and their healing presence.
Learn about horses and their healing presence.
Learn about horses and their healing presence.
At Stepping Stone Ranch, our mission is to foster meaningful connections between people and horses through compassionate equine education and therapy. We are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment where individuals of all ages and abilities can learn to communicate, understand, and form lasting bonds with horses. We aim to promote personal growth, emotional well-being, and a deep respect for these majestic beings. Through our work, we strive to empower our community with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to cultivate a lifelong relationships with horses.

Private Sessions
One-on-one groundwork tailored to your goals. Ideal for those seeking deeper connection, education, confidence, or personal insight.
Group Sessions
Shared horsemanship experiences focused on trust, teamwork, and emotional connection in a supportive setting.
Special Needs Horsemanship
Encouraging, hands-on sessions that build confidence, communication, and connection with horses in a safe, inclusive environment for individuals with varying abilities.
Recovery & Trauma-Informed Sessions
Quiet, grounding work with horses designed to support emotional healing and personal growth for those in recovery or overcoming trauma.
Children’s Groundwork & Confidence Building
Hands-on sessions that help children learn empathy, boundaries, and self-assurance while connecting with horses.
Riding Lessons
Foundational riding lessons emphasizing balance, communication, and partnership with the horse. (Limited availability and may not be available to all for safety purposes)
Rates & Availability
Private lessons and sessions start at $120 per hour. Financial arrangements may be considered.
Group session rates vary based on the type of service and number of participants.
Please contact us for details and availability.
FMS billing available when applicable. All sessions are by appointment only. Space is limited.

Katie Brown is the founder of Stepping Stone Ranch and the heart behind its Healing Horsemanship program. With over 30 years of experience in dressage, natural horsemanship, and horse care, she blends equine education with a deep commitment to emotional growth and connection.
Her passion for helping others is deeply rooted in personal and family experience. Katie grew up alongside a special needs sibling and watched her mother run an equine program for individuals in recovery and those who had experienced abuse. With over two decades of personal sobriety, Katie brings a compassionate, lived understanding of the healing power of horses.
At Stepping Stone Ranch, she creates a nurturing space where people of all abilities can slow down, build trust, and reconnect with themselves and with horses, one mindful step at a time.

Garner Valley, part of Mountain Center, California, is a scenic mountain community just 30 minutes from Palm Desert and 40 minutes from Temecula. Nestled among the pines and meadows of the San Jacinto Mountains, this peaceful valley offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat typically 20 to 30 degrees cooler year-round. With its crisp mountain air, wide-open spaces, and quiet beauty, Garner Valley is the perfect setting to slow down, reconnect with nature, and experience the calming presence of horses.
Weather
At approximately 4500 ft elevation, temperatures here are typically 15 to 30 degrees cooler than the desert.
Average Temperatures – Mountain Center, CA (92561)
Approximate monthly highs and lows
January: 59°F / 35°F
February: 59°F / 36°F
March: 64°F / 38°F
April: 69°F / 40°F
May: 74°F / 44°F
June: 84°F / 50°F
July: 89°F / 57°F
August: 90°F / 58°F
September: 85°F / 54°F
October: 75°F / 45°F
November: 66°F / 37°F
December: 57°F / 34°F
Recommended Attire
• Boots (highly recommended for safety); closed toe shoes are required
• Work or gardening gloves
• Jeans and long sleeves encouraged
• Hat recommended
What to Bring
• Sun protection
• Plenty of water (electrolytes encouraged at 4,500 ft elevation)
• Snacks
• Riding attire requirements subject to discipline and riding level. Riding boots are required for any riding activities.
Please Complete Before Arrival
• Signed liability waiver
• Signed media waiver (optional)








We would love to see you for a visit by appointment only.

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