Warhorse Ranch co-founders Mike Lozano and Valerie presented the ranch's equine-assisted therapy programs and upcoming multi-day retreats during the Department of Agriculture working group meeting. The presenters described services for veterans, first responders, caregivers and rural community members and said registration is available on the ranch's website.

Why it matters: Rural areas, including parts of northwest Colorado, have seen spikes in suicide and behavioral-health needs; local programs that combine outdoor, agricultural and animal-assisted therapies are one pathway attendees said can reach people who otherwise do not access care.

Mike Lozano, a combat veteran who said he helped found the program after his own recovery process, described how working with horses affected participants: “Eso cambió mi vida.” He outlined day-to-day program elements—horse handling, grooming and riding—as well as seasonal activities such as beekeeping and fly-fishing trips led in partnership with local volunteers and groups.

Valerie, who co-presented, explained how horses function as biofeedback partners for people processing trauma: “El trabajo de los caballos es bien poderoso, estamos aprendiendo de ellos y ustedes pueden ver su respuesta a los individuos.” She described the physiological effect participants often report—reduced heart rate and calmer breathing—when engaging in grooming and guided interactions with horses.

Presenters said Warhorse Ranch offers two five-day retreats this summer; they said the retreats are already paid for and open for registration on the ranch website, with one retreat scheduled in August and another in September. Staff training includes CPR and crisis-response skills and the ranch partners with other providers (occupational therapy, physical therapy and nutrition) for retreat programming.

Youth and community programs were also described. Lozano said the ranch will work with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps for a 10-week summer block that will introduce children—described as roughly 8 to 11 years old—to apiculture (beekeeping), horse care and basic riding lessons. Presenters noted that the age range and some details were approximate.

Presenters said the ranch responds to local need: last year “perdimos a 19 personas debido a suicidios” in nearby Routt County, a figure they cited to explain urgency and outreach. They also said many ranchers donate food or other in-kind support to retreats.

Several meeting participants, including Julissa Soto of Latino health and outreach organizations, highlighted the importance of culturally accessible services and outreach to Latinx farmworker families. Soto commented on barriers and the need for trust-building in rural Latino communities.

No formal action or funding decisions were recorded during the presentation; the session was a program briefing and a request for contacts, referrals and potential collaborators.

Warhorse Ranch leaders asked attendees to share program referrals and community resources; they also invited local organizations to propose collaborative activities or to host participants.