Bit of Hope Ranch

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Gastonia, NC
Bit of Hope Ranch

Bit of Hope Ranch is a non-profit organization that provides mental health, physical therapy and educational programs. Contact us today! Welcome to the Ranch!

We are also a site for the Mace Energy Method that can be done remotely around the world. Our mission is to Reach, Rescue and Restore hurting children, families and horses through equine assisted therapies. Our strategy is to harness the power of Ranch’s Wellness Wheel to empower people to take control of their mind, body and spiritual wellness by celebrating areas that are thriving and to identify areas that need attention in order to strengthen their sense of identity. Our services include: Couseling and Coaching, Therapeutic and Recreational Riding, Educational Programs for Schools and Businesses, and Ranch Rentals (for parties and weddings)

09/09/2025

🐎 Why therapeutic riding works
For individuals with special needs, equine-assisted riding offers unique benefits that traditional therapies can’t always provide:

✔️ Physical development – The horse’s gait closely mimics a human walk, helping riders improve posture, balance, core strength, and coordination.
✔️ Sensory input – The movement, textures, and environment engage multiple senses, supporting sensory processing and regulation.
✔️ Cognitive growth – Following riding patterns, giving cues, and problem-solving enhances focus, sequencing, and memory.
✔️ Emotional well-being – Building trust with a horse fosters confidence, reduces anxiety, and encourages self-expression.
✔️ Social skills – Riding sessions include teamwork, communication, and positive peer interactions with volunteers and their instructors supporting them throughout their session.

Therapeutic riding is more than a lesson—it’s a pathway to growth, healing, and independence.

Discover more by clicking the link:
Therapeutic Riding — Bit of Hope Ranch https://share.google/eyXU5MQ9DQRjUsjlG

09/03/2025

Are you or someone you love feeling out of balance? The Ranch’s Wellness Wheel is designed to empower you to take control of your mind, body, and spiritual wellness. By identifying areas that need attention, you can strengthen your sense of identity and move toward a healthier, more whole version of yourself.

Ready to take the next step? Fill out our contact form below and let's get started!

Wellness Wheel Contact — Bit of Hope Ranch https://share.google/pm7WKbBIeGfUNe2Cb

09/01/2025

Let's check in with our young gelding Zorro🐎 who came to Bit of Hope Ranch last summer. During the year we have seen his sweet and eager to please personality start to emerge. Zorro has been working hard with his training and starting to help with some of our Ranch programs. With a young horse, consistent and confidence building training is important to their success. It is important to be patient and reward the small wins along the way. We are pleased with his progress and are excited for his future. Zorro is one of our Trauma Care & Recovery partners. Not only is he healing from past fears, he is helping others to move past theirs. ✨️Shout out to Mindy and Olivia for the work they are doing with him!

You can help invest in his healing journey by sponsoring him today:
Donate - Bit of Hope Ranch https://share.google/gH4wyZ8PiueauFU3f

08/30/2025

✨Rep the Ranch, Support the Mission✨

Did you know we have an online store? 🛒🐴

Your order ships straight to your door AND a portion of every purchase comes right back to Bit of Hope Ranch. That means you’re not just rocking our gear — you’re helping us Reach, Rescue, and Restore hurting children, families, and horses through equine-assisted therapies.

Our vision is to empower people to embrace their God-given identity and take control of their physical, mental, and spiritual wellness! Every t-shirt or hoodie you wear is a reminder that healing and hope are possible.

👉 Shop our online store & be part of the mission.

https://www.bonfire.com/store/bit-of-hope-ranch-merchandise/?srsltid=AfmBOopn8lQZjflALAUR5IiiJX83_YW37YEHubK-N6239bw7LbsuCvSs

08/29/2025

We had a blast taking on Belmont Abbey’s involvement fair this week! 💛 There’s room for every heart and every helping hand to volunteer at Bit of Hope Ranch — because many hands truly do make light work!

Whether you love working with horses, helping with events, or just lending a hand wherever it’s needed, there’s a role for you here.

💻 Want to join our Wrangler crew? Visit our website to find out how you can get more involved at Bit of Hope Ranch!

08/27/2025

🎉🐴 Birthday magic happens here at the ranch! 🐴🎉 From pony rides with our sweet horses (bows included 🎀), to bouncing the day away on our giant pillow, and saying hello to our mini farm friends 🐐🐓🐰—we’ve got the perfect spot for an unforgettable celebration.

Make your kiddo’s birthday one they’ll
never forget! 🥳🎈

Click the link for more information:
Celebrations and Parties — Bit of Hope Ranch https://share.google/eqJ46g6PSeRw3kNoE

08/23/2025

✨ Big shoutout to Karen, the founder of From the Heart CPR (and a cardiac arrest survivor herself), who graciously donated her time to train our staff here at Bit of Hope Ranch in CPR & AED use — and donated the AED equipment too!

We’re usually prepared for potentially loose goats and horses, but thanks to Karen we can now handle real emergencies too! She made a serious topic easy to learn and even got us laughing while practicing chest compressions.

Here are some quick heart facts to remember:

🫀 A cardiac arrest is different than a heart attack. A cardiac arrest is an electrical issue in the heart, while a heart attack is a plumbing issue.
🫀 Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, at any time.
🫀Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival.
🫀 Every minute that goes by with no help decreases the chance of survival by about 10%

Thank you again, Karen, for helping us feel confident and equipped — you’re truly giving from the heart!

08/14/2025

📚✨ Back-to-School & Big Feelings
For some kids, the start of school brings excitement. For others… anxiety and uncertainty. Here’s how to help ease the transition.

💬 Let your child know it’s okay to feel nervous.
✅ Listen without judgment
✅ Validate their feelings
✅ Reassure them: “We’ll work through this together.”

🌟 Focus on what they can look forward to:
✨ Seeing friends
✨ Fun events
✨ Favorite subjects
Shift their mindset from fear ➡ anticipation.

Teach Simple Coping Skills
🧘‍♀️ Practice before they need them:
Slow, deep breaths
Positive self-talk
Stress ball squeezes

Stay Calm & Consistent
Kids mirror your energy.
💙 Keep routines steady
💙 Allow extra time in the mornings
💙 Avoid the “rush stress”

With patience, preparation, and support, kids can step into the school year ready to face new challenges—one small step at a time. 💪🎒

Seek Extra Support if Needed
📞 If anxiety lingers or worsens, reach out to:
School counselor
Mental health professional ➡️ Book your discovery call with us today

08/08/2025

🏃‍♀️Runners, start your conditioning 🏃🏾

Our annual 5K Trail Run is hittin’ the dirt on October 11, and the horses are already judging your cardio. 👀🐴 We only open our 50-acre farm to the public once a year for this event—so this is your one shot to run alongside peaceful pastures, through our wooded trails, and maybe past a goat or two who thinks you’re moving a little slow. 🐐💨

💛 Proceeds go directly toward our trauma care & recovery programs at Bit of Hope Ranch, where we work to rescue, reach, and restore lives—both human and horse.

👉 Tag your running buddy, start stretching, and let’s trot for a cause!

08/05/2025

Equine assisted therapy for mind, body and spirit

08/03/2025

✨Ranch Wrangler Recognition✨

At Bit of Hope Ranch, we would like to specifically recognize and thank Brian Matteson, neighbor and Elevation Church member. Brian has been our advocate and community champion for almost a decade! His loyalty, dedication, conviction, and determination to help others, are a true example of Christian love for which we would want any of our staff, clients, and volunteers to strive. No one can come to our Ranch and look around and see something that Brian Matteson has not been a part of or touched.

✨Thank you Brian for being our brother in Christ and leading by example✨

08/02/2025

⭐️ Volunteer Spotlight ⭐️

❤️THANK YOU to Elevation Church who just dedicated 8 hours during Elevation Love Week to help us to repair and refresh our barnyard, flower beds and playground area.
❤️THANK YOU Elevation for the mulch and materials to complete these projects.
❤️SPECIAL THANKS to Celest and Shawn for choosing us as your organization to LOVE during Elevation Love Week.
❤️SPECIAL THANKS to Brian for being our advocate and coordinating these events.

Our Bit of Hope community was built on volunteers and our programs do not exist without volunteers! We cannot fully express our relief for having these areas clean, fresh and ready for field trips in this up coming school year!

Stay tuned to see what other blessings Elevation Church had in store for us, we are beyond loved and beyond blessed ❤️

Address

5001 Cr Wood Road
Gastonia, NC
28056

Telephone

+17048620095

Website

http://www.bitofhoperanch.org/

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Bit of Hope Ranch offers equine assisted therapies for mental health and physical needs. We also offer educational programs for groups and individuals. Book us on the weekend for celebrations and weddings too!