Lantern Lighter Ranch Teaches Development Skills With Horses
FAIRVIEW – At Lantern Lighter Ranch, owner Tina Swanson takes a different approach to skills development: allowing horses to teach trust, communication and connection.
Although horses lead the way in the program, Swanson emphasized workshops are centered on people and teams learning more about themselves and growing both individually and together.
“It’s about the people,” Swanson said. “We work on developing awareness, connection, communication, trust and problem solving.”
Horses at the Lantern Lighter Ranch serve as teachers to participants developing skills. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
Swanson described the program as something people “don’t know they need until they know they need it.”
Teams begin their visit by meeting with Swanson to discuss a shared objective before interacting with the horses.
She explained participants first explore how that objective applies to them, then review safety procedures for the facility and horses. They also learn how horses communicate through their head, ears, tail and body language before facing challenges in the arena as a team.
Swanson said those with no prior horse experience are taught the basics needed to communicate and connect with the animals.
She emphasized the program focuses on groundwork only. No riding is involved.
Once in the arena, teams move through challenge stations with obstacles. Participants read instructions from a card and work through each task individually or as a group, while Swanson observes and steps in when necessary.
“The horses respond to their body language, emotions, energy and any subtle change,” she said. “So if the horses feel like there is a disconnect in the group, maybe somebody isn’t trusting the leadership of the person taking the biggest control, the horse will respond to that.”
Swanson said these moments prompt participants to reflect and ask questions within their group about what may need to change.
If the objective is connection, she said, the focus often turns to body language.
“Horses are very observant of people, because they need to know that they can trust you,” Swanson said. “So, they’re going to be watching the body language. We’re going to be talking about how using your body language, your energy, all of that, can help make that connection with the horse, and then not only the horse but your team.”
Many of the exercises are nonverbal, which Swanson said challenges participants more deeply.
She added that building connection also increases awareness, particularly when individuals are fully present.
Obstacle challenges may include maneuvering around or over objects or completing tasks that require communication and teamwork. Additional challenges may be introduced throughout the activity to push participants further.
“It helps them shift from reacting to responding,” she said. “It’s experiential learning. They’re able to step back, look at the situation, try something different and see how the response changes. That process helps them recognize the value of making changes.”
The Lantern Lighter Ranch programs use obstacles to challenge participants when learning skills development. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photos.
Swanson said her experience working with groups showed her the impact of this type of work.
“I do like to do groups, because we really encourage connection. There’s so much value to connection. We weren’t meant to do life alone. And since everything got shut down (due to COVID-19), a lot of people have not really figured out how to get back into groups.”
The ranch offers several programs from personal and professional workshops to team-building sessions, 90-minute visits and half- and full-day experiences.
“The Gentle Journey” is an eight-week program for participants that meet once a week for 90 minutes. Each session builds upon the previous one. The program is limited to six participants per class although private sessions are also available.
This program is designed for individuals experiencing loss, such as the loss of a marriage, loved one, dream, pet or other life change.
An additional eight-week series of 90-minute sessions with groups of two to six participants may extend to 12 weeks if desired.
A full-day team growth session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for groups of four to nine participants.
A half-day session runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in groups of four to eight participants.
Swanson said a wide range of groups can benefit from the program, from sports teams to business organizations.
“Absolutely anyone who would like personal growth, in skills development, in unity or in learning more about themselves. That is really who I feel we can help,” Swanson said.
Swanson and her husband Tom have been developing the programs and the ranch over the past five years.
Programs are offered year-round, except in December and January, and are weather dependent.
Swanson holds certifications with the Certified Horsemanship Association, equine-assisted learning through Errant McSwain and Pegasus Farm, and Christian Horsemanship International. She has been instructing safe experiences with horses since 2010.
“My purpose and goal is to offer a place and a program where people can get away from daily distractions and routines to become authentic, remember who they are and why they’re doing what they’re doing”, Swanson said.
Lantern Lighter Ranch is located at 66543 Waymor Road, Quaker City, three miles north west from the Village of Fairview. Swanson may be reached by email at tinaswanson0227@gmail.com or 740-260-6425. Additional information on the ranch may be found on the website www.lanternlighterranch.com
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