Past Events
Hope Ranch Ministries was established in 2007 and has the opportunity to assist the community in many forms. Visitors that come for horse rides include children and their advocates from Utah County Children's Justice Center, Copper Hills Correctional Facility for Teens, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Utah as well as youth groups from all denominations in the Salt Lake Valley.
We mentor many individual women that are struggling with lack of purpose and a feeling of hopelessness due to the death of a spouse, divorce or abuse, the loss of a child to drugs, alcohol, or prison.
We were privileged to mentor a 19 year old autistic girl whose parents believed could excel at more than just washing dishes and windows. She became quite competent with horses, enough so that she could go on trail rides and attend a girl's horse camp.
In 2011, we partnered with Oakley School from Oakley, Utah, where students and clinical staff visited Hope Ranch every Friday and Saturday for 5-7 week modules. They learned the basics of Natural Horsemanship and assisted with work projects at the ranch.
In 2013, we partnered with HOPE KIDS, a nonprofit organization for terminally ill children and their families. We hosted weekend long events that provide fun and relaxation for 10-20 families. Each child was led around on horseback in our indoor riding arena. Each child learns how to groom a horse and the basics of handling the horse. This event was very special to Terri McQuiston, president of Hope Ranch Ministries, in that she lost a little sister to brain cancer. She can relate to the pain and anxiety that goes with surgery and chemotherapy.
Hope Ranch Ministries