Pecan Creek Ranch

Pecan Creek Ranch We help people thrive through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Professional Training & Horsemanship at our beautiful multi-acre ranch in Salado, Texas.

We have over 40 years combined therapy experience and 15 years TF-EAP experience.

05/29/2026

Funny/Connection Friday- Dancing goat ears! We couldn’t keep a straight face watching Poppy’s ears wiggle and pop as she munched grass with the herd!

Regulation Thursday Water has a powerful regulatory effect on our nervous systems. That is why many of us feel calmer si...
05/29/2026

Regulation Thursday
Water has a powerful regulatory effect on our nervous systems. That is why many of us feel calmer sitting beside a river, listening to rain fall, or watching waves roll onto the shore.

The rhythmic, patterned movement and sound of water can help shift our bodies out of stress and into a state of greater calm and connection. The steady repetition of waves, flowing streams, or rainfall provides sensory input that signals safety to the brain and body. Our breathing slows, our muscles relax and our thoughts often feel less chaotic.

Research shows that natural environments, especially those involving water, can reduce stress hormones, lower heart rate, and improve emotional wellbeing. Even brief moments spent listening to or observing water can help regulate an overwhelmed nervous system.

So take a moment, sit beside moving water, listen to it and watch it move.
☀️

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy WednesdayHow a program decides to work with their horses in session impacts the session in...
05/29/2026

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Wednesday

How a program decides to work with their horses in session impacts the session in many subtle ways. Though there is no one right way to facilitate, there are ways that may be more effective for reaching the client’s treatment goals, and supporting the horse’s growth and wellbeing.

Below is a few examples of this and why we choose to work with our horses at liberty.

Liberty is a horsemanship term that describes working with a horse without constraints so he is free to move. So, if you observed one of our sessions you would see us working either in a round pen or in the pasture where the horse(s) is free to move in any way he wishes. We may have the horse the client is working with alone or with another horse or the whole herd.

For us this provides the most benefit to the client and the horse because both are free to make their own choices. It also provides the most opportunities for conversation between the client and horse in which patterns can arise.

For us there is a direct inverted relationship between the amount of control we exert and the potential benefits of the interaction.

For instance, if we chose to tie a horse so the client could engage in grooming, we have exerted high control in the situation. The benefit of the interaction is diminished due to the restriction of the horse’s choices and ability to express himself freely. Tying also impacts the client because they often are not attuned enough to notice the micro expressions of the horse in these situations which can set them up for failure. It is easier for a client to see and understand a horse who moves away from them when they do not like something, rather than a communication using muscles, such as tight muscles around the eye. Tying can also cause a horse to disconnect from themselves and the client because they lack agency in the moment. Clients often do not recognize this coping strategy so when they feel the absence of the horse they attribute blame to themselves, as if the lack of presence is a failure on their part.

If our goal is to help the client have healthier relationships, we have diminished our ability to achieve this goal. Healthy relationships require both parties to show up fully, to attune to each other, to express their wants and needs in appropriate ways and be able to control themselves and not the other. When the horse is tied he is unable to freely make choices, and express himself fully. A tied horse also gives the client a false sense of what a healthy relationship is and prevents them from learning how to communicate when there is disagreement and working through issues together.

Something to consider TuesdayResearch across neuroscience, psychology, physiology, and social science shows that positiv...
05/26/2026

Something to consider Tuesday

Research across neuroscience, psychology, physiology, and social science shows that positive experiences play an important role in our mental, emotional, relational, and physical health.

Chronic stress keeps the body in a prolonged state of activation while moments of joy, play, laughter, connection, and enjoyment help move the nervous system out of chronic survival states. Positive emotional experiences can also increase feelings of safety in the body and support regulation of stress responses.

Psychological health is not the absence of hardship. It is the capacity to experience the full range of human emotion while still remaining connected to meaning, hope, others, and moments of aliveness.

Educational MondayGood listening starts with making space for the other person. If you are distracted, multitasking, che...
05/25/2026

Educational Monday

Good listening starts with making space for the other person. If you are distracted, multitasking, checking your phone, or already thinking about what you want to say, the other person can usually feel it.

To become a better listener, try these simple steps:

1. Put distractions away.
2. Make eye contact if it feels comfortable.
3. Allow pauses and silence.
4. Ask open-ended questions.
5. Seek to understand.
6. Avoid interrupting.
7. Resist the urge to give advice.

Today we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are deeply thankful for ...
05/25/2026

Today we remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We are deeply thankful for the brave men and women who cared enough to protect the freedoms we hold dear.

Their courage, selflessness, and dedication will never be forgotten. As we gather with family and friends today, may we also take a moment to reflect on the cost of freedom and remember those who gave everything for others.

Uplift SundaySometimes we forget the power of how we move. The subtleties of the direction of our chin, the position of ...
05/25/2026

Uplift Sunday

Sometimes we forget the power of how we move. The subtleties of the direction of our chin, the position of our shoulders, and head, the freedom or restriction of our limbs, and breath, all impact our beliefs and views of ourselves and the world around us.

05/24/2026

Happy 22nd Birthday, Cash! We are so grateful that you are a part of our herd! We love you!

05/23/2026

Anything goes Saturday

Spirit is feeling safer! She was able to leave the herd to get some care from Carly. Spirit did not call out and neither did any herd mates. I am so happy to see that Spirit’s nervous system is relaxing.

05/23/2026

Spirit is out with the whole herd!

05/23/2026

In this video you see Spirit interacting for the first time with both Cash and Kai.

Address

3164 FM2843
Salado, TX
76571

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15125480551

Website

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