Walking by Faith: The Ranch Where Healing Runs with the Horses

Camp Nisswa
Aug 12
3 min read

Updated: Aug 13

True North Ranch, Ministries

It started simple—just Lee, Dan, a few horses, and seven little games meant to strengthen their bond. The summer sun stretched long across the arena, dust swirling under hoofbeats, and between laughter and quiet encouragement, a thought began to take shape: What if this could help someone who was hurting?

That answer came sooner than expected.

They knew a family who had already faced more than their share of hardship. A house fire had forced them out—but thankfully, everyone survived. Still, the trauma clung to the children like smoke.

One day, without a plan or a script, Lee and Dan brought the kids to meet the horses. No therapy session, no agenda—just space, fresh air, and time with the animals. By the end of the day, the kids were laughing, brushing manes, and daring each other to try new challenges. Something about the horses—their steady breathing, calm presence, and gentle eyes—made it easier to let go. That was the first spark of what would become a mission.

Back then, Lee and Dan didn’t even own land. For years, they boarded their horses. But then—77 acres became available. A mix of woods and open sky, just waiting to be something more. They knew developers would be interested, so they took the leap. The land was beautiful… but wild. No fencing. No arena. No shelters.

For a while, the horses stayed where they were—until a 60-day notice changed everything. It was time to move. Friends, neighbors, and volunteers came with tools in hand. Trees were cleared for fencing. Hay could be delivered. Water lines went in. A pump house was built just before the first snow, and by December, the horses finally stepped into their new home.

In 2014, the ranch officially became a nonprofit. But in truth, its heart started beating in 2006—with that first summer of games and one hurting family.

What the Ranch Looks Like Today

True North Ranch now welcomes between 700–1,000 people a year. They’ve traded big events for deeper, more personal sessions—sometimes one-on-one, sometimes in small groups of up to twelve.

One-on-one moments might mean giving a suicidal teen the choice to ride, walk, craft, or simply be near a horse.
Group sessions often turn into powerful lessons in trust, communication, and self-awareness.

Every visit begins with warmth—often in the fellowship area, where a fire crackles and “Pony Espresso” serves up coffee. From there, the real work begins (though it rarely feels like work).

Programs with Purpose

The Victory Corral
- Participants guide a horse through obstacles while talking about the obstacles in their own lives. The lesson? Look up and move toward the goal—because if your eyes drop to the problem, the horse hesitates.
The Join Up Challenge
- No halter. No lead rope. Just you, the horse, and trust to be earned. Outside distractions—umbrellas, flags, noise—mimic real life. The challenge is to keep the connection strong through it all.
The HERD Program (Horses Empowered Reading Discovery)
- Kids struggling with reading find a calm, supportive space. They build obstacle courses for the horses (and themselves), learning problem-solving while celebrating small victories.

Stories You Don’t Forget

The ranch has seen it all—troubled teens, shy five-year-olds finding their confidence, families making memories. One Mother’s Day, a woman brought her mom, who had Alzheimer’s. As the horses approached, her mother began to speak—words her family hadn’t heard in months.

Breakthroughs can happen in a single moment or after weeks of visits. But the pattern is always the same: a safe space, a willing horse, and a gentle push toward discovery.

One day, Lee asked a girl who was struggling with a nervous horse, “What do you think you can do?”

She paused, thought about it, and said, “Try again.”

And that’s what they do here—every single day. Try again.

True North Ranch is a faith-based ministry built on trust, connection, and the belief that healing comes from more than just time—it comes from hope. Donations help them continue serving the Lakes Area community and beyond. If you’d like to support their mission, you can make a donation here: Donate to True North Ranch

How to Connect with True North Ranch

Location: 12600 Pelican Beach Road, Merrifield, MN 56465

Phone: 218-851-1937

Email: tnr@truenorthranch.org

Website: truenorthranch.org

Facebook: True North Ranch Ministries

Instagram: @truenorthranchministries

Visits & Tours: By appointment only

Session Schedule (May–Sept):