Hózhó Horsemanship
Our mission is sharing the healing power of rescue horses with the community while also making dreams come true - getting every family in the saddle no matter their budget.
Mission Statement
At Hózhó Horsemanship, our mission is to share the healing power of horses with individuals and families from every walk of life. Through equine-assisted therapy, natural horsemanship, and horseback riding, we open pathways to balance, confidence, and belonging — guided by the Navajo and Cherokee traditions of Hózhó: living in beauty, harmony, and respect.
We serve children, teens, and adults — especially those on the autism spectrum, or walking through trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, addiction recovery, or grief. Side by side with our rescued horses, who embody their own journeys of healing, we invite people into a circle of trust where both human and horse are transformed.
At our heart, we are committed to honoring Indigenous wisdom, restoring harmony, and cultivating a future where healing is relational, regenerative, and reverent of all beings.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to create sanctuary spaces on 20+ acres of land — places where healing and community interweave. These ranches will offer supportive housing, holistic wellness programs, and gardens that nourish body, spirit, and soil. They will be living classrooms of connection to the land, where families, volunteers, and neighbors gather to learn, grow, and heal together.
About our Founder
Meet Rachael – Founder of Hózhó Horsemanship
With over 25 years of hands-on experience, Rachael has dedicated her life to riding, training, and connecting with horses. Her journey began in the world of Hunter Jumper competition on the GHHJA circuit in Greater Houston. Over the years, she expanded her expertise to include dressage, natural horsemanship, barrel racing, and starting or restarting horses in their training journeys.
Rachael’s connection to horses began in childhood, riding bareback down trails and along the beach with her best friend, whose mother introduced her to the world of rodeo. That early exposure to the spirit of barrel racing ignited a lifelong pursuit of learning from books, mentors, and every horse she encountered.
By age 12, Rachael was already training young and rescue horses, often retraining western horses to compete in English hunter/jumper shows. It was also at this young age that she taught her very first riding lesson. But at 14, her life took a difficult turn. Rachael began experiencing symptoms of schizoaffective disorder – bipolar type – along with the debilitating effects of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Though misdiagnosed for many years, she found refuge and relief in the presence of her horses. When nothing else worked, the horses did. Their calming presence silenced the voices, soothed the panic, and brought peace to her soul. That was the beginning of her calling.
Years later, after a season of being without horses and enduring a severe mental health relapse, Rachael rescued a neglected gelding named King. That healing partnership reminded her of a deep truth: she needed horses to survive – and thrive. What followed was a spiritual journey that included a near-death experience and a powerful vision of a future herd. With faith and perseverance, that vision came to life — starting with a Pinto Arabian mare named Dolly and her foal Apollo.
Along the way, Rachael discovered her passion for helping others through horses. She worked with children on the autism spectrum, taught foster youth, and witnessed her own children flourish through equine therapy. Her son, diagnosed with early signs of schizoaffective disorder, bonded deeply with his horse Cisco — a connection that inspired him to share Cisco with anyone who needed a smile. That spirit of generosity now lives at the heart of the Hózhó Horsemanship program.
Today, as a riding instructor, Rachael focuses on natural horsemanship and the therapeutic bond between horse and human. Rooted in the traditions of her Cherokee and Navajo heritage, she teaches not just how to ride, but how to form a sacred, trust-based relationship with horses. Her work combines liberty-based activities, positive reinforcement, and Indigenous teachings to foster healing and wholeness.
Thanks to years of prayer and persistence, Hózhó Horsemanship is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Riding lessons are available for a modest instructor’s fee, while equine-assisted therapy and learning sessions are offered free or at low cost through scholarships and donations.
Rachael’s dream is to become a licensed Equine Assisted Therapist so she can continue transforming lives — just as horses have transformed hers. With lived experience in mental health, a heart for neurodiverse individuals, and a soul rooted in service, she invites you to experience the healing power of horses through Hózhó — a Navajo concept of balance, beauty, and harmony in all things.