WINTER GARDEN, Fla. — There is a unique ranch in Winter Garden called Soul Haven Ranch that invites anyone who wants to make a connection with miniature horses to come and visit.
What You Need To Know
- Owner Susan Nastasi created the experience back in 2016 after working in the busy financial world for 25 years
- Guests simply call the Soul Haven Ranch and make a reservation for their small horse encounter.
- The cost is $50 per person for a 1-hour private session
Owner Susan Nastasi created the experience back in 2016 after working in the busy financial world for 25 years. She realized that most people have lost any connection with animals and the simple life on a ranch.
Nastasi had a love of horses, and so Soul Haven was born.
Guests simply call the Soul Haven Ranch and make a reservation for their small horse encounter.
“They got wonderful temperaments," Nastasi said. "And it gives people an opportunity to be around horses that might otherwise be intimidated by the big ones.”
Nastasi says there is a simple goal at the ranch.
“Let people kind of connect with them,” she said.
People come from around the world (there is also an Airbnb on property) to experience her My Day With a Miniature Horse program.
“We have had people from every continent visit the ranch here in Winter Garden, Florida,” she said.
The experience is a one-hour private encounter. Guests get to choose one of the miniature horses on the ranch and learn how to groom the animals. The experience allows visitors to walk the horses through an obstacle course that helps them gain a better understanding of the animals.
These same miniature horses serve and visit groups of children with special needs, hospitals, hospice and nursing homes.
The encounters are paid for by guests, so Nastasi can offer the horses for free around the community.
“The more opportunities we get to go out and serve children with special needs, geriatrics, hospice, veterans, the better. And it’s just a full circle thing,” she said.
One of the cool things about the ranch is its location to the West Orange trail. Guests can walk the miniature horses off the property and on to the trail.
“You know we hope to not only have our handlers enjoy being with the horses and promote some wellness. But we also like when we pass people on some bikes or walking," Nastasi said. "They share joy no matter where they go.”
The cost is $50 per person for a 1-hour private session. You can make a reservation by calling 407-509-1981.
For more information and reservations visit Soul Haven Ranch.