Transforming Lives Through Horses, Confidence, and Growth
Lives Inspired, Futures Transformed
At Between Horses and Humans, our mission is to create a safe and empowering space where children and youth can develop leadership skills, emotional resilience, and essential life lessons through working with horses. Our high-integrity horsemanship program fosters confidence, self-awareness, and compassion, allowing participants to connect with their authentic selves.
Unlike traditional riding programs, we focus on personal growth, teaching children how to build trust, responsibility, and emotional strength through hands-on equine experiences. In a non-judgmental environment, participants set aside life’s challenges, learning to navigate hardships with courage. Through the powerful bond between horse and human, we help young people discover their inner strength and build a foundation for a brighter future.
OUR RANCH
A peaceful space for healing and growth
Nestled in the heart of Gardnerville, Nevada, our ranch provides a peaceful, open space where children and horses come together to heal and grow. Located at a public boarding facility, the ranch offers a safe and welcoming environment for youth to connect with horses, learn horsemanship, and build essential life skills.
Surrounded by nature, the ranch is a place where students can leave behind the pressures of daily life and focus on personal growth.
The tranquil setting offers ample opportunity for connection, reflection, and healing. Whether caring for horses, participating in activities, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature, the ranch serves as a sanctuary for growth, learning, and emotional resilience.
Meet the Herd
Rascal
Meet Radiant Rascal, our gentle bay beauty with a passion for dressage. After perfecting dressage for seven years, he now uses his calm nature to teach leadership and build confidence in youth.
Lisette
Meet Lovely Lisette, a purebred Friesian mare with a heart as big as her mane. After being a mom to 10 foals, Lisette now focuses on helping kids build confidence and find joy.
Tru
Meet True-Hearted Tru, an Icelandic horse with the spirit of a champion. Despite being called a pony, Tru carries himself with pride and grace.
Support BHH in style!
Show your support for Between Horses and Humans in style with our exclusive merchandise! From comfortable t-shirts to cozy sweatshirts, each purchase helps fund our mission to empower troubled youth through equine experiences.
Please note that men should order a size up for the best fit, as our men's items tend to run slightly smaller. For women, our fitted shirts run small, so we recommend ordering one to two sizes up. Whether you're shopping for yourself or a loved one, your purchase directly supports our programs and horses. Visit our fundraising store today and wear your support proudly!
All proceeds will go to support the BHH program.
Board of Directors
President
Gary Gleason
Relationship. If I had to use one word to define what horses represent to me it’s that word.
First, horses were a point of relationship, primarily between me and my late father, though
with others, too. I remember my father’s stories of riding his horse in what was then a rural
area. We regularly rode when on vacations, or when he visited me. One of my fondest
memories is a pack trip we took together. I have tried to create some similar memories with
my children and hope to do so with my grandchildren.
Then there is the relationship with the horses themselves, and the life lessons they provide.
This includes understanding that each horse, and each person, has its personality,
strengths, and quirks. I believe you either learn this, and have a good working partnership,
or ignore it and have an anemic relationship.
Having spent 30+ years as a civil trial attorney, including my part in managing one law office
and founding/running another, I now have the privilege of applying the skills derived from
my career to my position as co-President of the wonderful organization we know as BHH.
I
believe leadership involves several aspects, not the least of which is the ability to be
objective and to bring together differing viewpoints, while keeping the overall mission clearly
in focus. This requires many of the lessons we learn from horses, such as equanimity,
patience, and observation.
Ultimately, I hope that what I bring to BHH will add to what has come before and allow BHH
to continue its mission as an even stronger organization.
Treasurer
Trevor Pipkin
My name is Trevor Pipkin. I grew up with Great Danes, so when I had my first experience
with a horse, I was immediately in love. The bigger the animal, the better. Horses have a
special place in my heart because they have changed my life in so many ways. As a
troubled youth, I ended up in some scary situations due to my own actions. When I was
about 18, I entered a program that worked with horses and young adults who were having
various issues. My horse taught me accountability, humility, confidence, trust,
communication, and love. Those were things I had been missing in my life for as long as I
could remember.
My wife and I believe that family, mental health, and service are some of the most important
things we can devote our lives to. Therefore, we spend a great deal of our time serving the
community, and youths specifically, in ways we feel are best suited to our abilities. When my
wife found BHH we dove in with both feet. There are few greater pleasures than watching
the bond between a child and a horse grow, and watching the child's confidence, trust,
leadership, and joyfulness explode through the roof. The time I spend on the ranch is one of
my greatest joys.
Secretary
Kathy Lee
My name is Kathleen Lee. 65 years young. I’ve been married 34 years with 3 kids and 3
grandkids. I’ve lived in Carson for 23 years. Born and raised in Northern California. I owned
a horse in my 20s and am so happy and lucky I found Between Horses and Humans.
I love
working with the horses and the kids. I truly believe horses heal your heart and soul. I love
watching the kids come to life when they are with the horses.
Director
Kristin Moffitt
My passion for horses grew alongside my youngest daughter's equine journey, making
Between Horses and Humans the perfect place for me. I’ve seen firsthand the healing
power of these incredible animals and the impact they have on people's lives.
My work with young people and nonprofits began in 2006 as Executive Director of Youth
Artworks in Reno, later leading to a role as Art Director for the Boys & Girls Club of Truckee
Meadows. I decided to return to school when my daughters were little and earned a
Master’s degree in Teaching while working as a Teaching Artist for the Sierra Arts
Foundation.
Now, I teach part-time and run my own sustainable textile business, balancing
family life in Northern Nevada.
Horses have always been a part of my life in some way. Growing up on the north shore of
Lake Tahoe, I spent time with horses in Carson Valley but never had one of my own. Now,
I
feel like I have many! I volunteer with a mustang sanctuary in Northern Nevada and
surround myself with those amazing animals several times a week! Thanks to my daughter,
we’re immersing ourselves in the equine world, learning all we can, and embracing the
healing love that horses offer. Thank you, BHH, for this incredible opportunity!
Director
Laura Maffitt
I have lived in South Lake Tahoe for over 40 years and love the adventurous lifestyle it
offers. In the summer, you’ll find me sailing, boat camping, horseback riding, hiking, and
mountain biking. In the winter, I enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, and more time in the saddle.
My love for horses started early with a horse in the backyard as a young teenager. I
attended horse camp and participated in anything horse that I could.
After a bit of a break, I
was finally able to bring them back into my life and started riding whenever I could. When I
found Between Horses and Humans, I knew I had discovered my “home.” I began as a
volunteer and quickly got involved in PR and social media, using my background in hotel
sales, marketing, and management to support the program. I soon joined the Board of
Directors and now, as Fundraising Committee Chair, I’m passionate about growing BHH’s
impact and sharing the healing power of horses with others.
Director
Debbie McFadden
I am a lifelong lover of horses! I got my first horse at the age of 11 and horses have been a
part of my life ever since! I have competed in horse shows as a youth and adult and
eventually had a small boarding facility at my property in Northern Nevada where I also
became involved with Between Horses and Humans.
Because horses have had such a
positive impact on my life, I am honored to be a part of the BHH board, where I see the
positive impact our horses have on the youth in our community. I recently moved with my
husband to Arizona to be closer to our family. I am still very involved with my horses and am
enjoying riding and competing in my new home state!
Director
Anne Norton
Hello! I’m Annie!
Horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My journey with them
began at a young age, and at 11, I got my first pony—Speedy! As a teenager, I volunteered
at a dude ranch, leading trail rides and working in the barn. After college, I moved to Alaska,
where my passion for riding deepened. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to own five
horses and lease two more. In 2012, I found my heart horse, Jupiter, and we shared 11
wonderful years together. I've also had the privilege of learning from exceptional trainers for
14 years.
My path to Between Horses and Humans happened by accident—literally! I had scheduled
a lesson on a Friesian horse but ended up at the wrong barn. That "wrong barn" turned out
to be BHH, where I met Barbara Slade. She introduced me to the program and some of the
incredible students, including a young man who was deaf. Being fluent in ASL, I was able to
interpret for him—and just like that, I was part of the program! Working with children and
horses has always been a dream of mine, and I quickly realized that BHH was exactly
where I was meant to be.
Professionally, my background aligns perfectly with my role at BHH. I spent 25 years in
Alaska, working as a mental health therapist for children and adults, specializing in working
with the deaf community. Before that, I served as a School Psychologist, helping develop
programs for deaf students.
Bringing my love for horses and my passion for helping children together at Between
Horses and Humans has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m grateful to be part of
this amazing program!
Director
Nancy Downey
I’m a Native Nevadan who grew up owning and loving horses, and I continue to enjoy trail riding to keep me grounded and connected to nature. Since receiving my Master’s Degree in Sociology from UNLV, I have owned a social research consulting firm and taught college courses for the past 30 years.
After moving to Carson Valley in 2005 to teach at UNR, I have been assisting several non-profit organizations with fund-raising events and have seen first-hand how much the children benefit from participating in the Between Horses and Humans programs. I’m honored to have the opportunity to work with this incredibly talented and dedicated group of individuals to further the mission of such an inspiring organization. I’m excited to get down to the business of helping both horses and humans!
Join our Board of Directors!
Do you have a passion for horses and helping youth? Join our Board of Directors and make a meaningful difference.
BHH Staff
Seanna Jackson
Seanna Jackson is a passionate horse enthusiast with 25 years of experience in horse training and equine disciplines. Born and raised in Nevada, Seanna's love for horses began at the age of five, and her career has spanned across trick riding, team roping, and barrel racing. After returning to the Carson Valley, Seanna discovered her deep passion for the connection between horses and mental health, leading her to her dream job as Program Director at BHH.
"Horses have taught me so much about growth, resilience, and healing. I’m thrilled to combine my love for them with the opportunity to help youth grow and thrive through our programs."
Christina Erb
Hello all! My name is Christina Erb. I was born here in the valley and lived here until I was 14. From there, I have spent the last 18 years living all over the world! I’ve spent different amounts of time living in Denver, Savannah, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Providence, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, and Uruguay. I have worked as a photographer and videographer, social media manager, copywriter and copy editor, and TEFL Teacher.
My love of horses really started during my time in Uruguay, where two horses and a pony lived on the property. I spent most days out in the fields with them, just walking around and watching them eat or standing under trees with them as they napped. After that, I did everything I could to be around horses – I even managed to meet over 100 horses in less than a year! From them all, I learned that horses are the best teachers when it comes to learning how to be around them.
Horses have the beautiful ability to affect you deep in your soul. I’m so excited about all the work we are doing with Between Horses and Humans because I want to help bring that feeling and those principles to people who need it. I look forward to expanding the reach we have so that more people can learn the beauty of time spent with horses.
Non profit information
Between Horses and Humans EIN number is 20-1567482
Please click here to view the Between Horses and Humans 501 c (3) non-profit declaration letter.
These items may be necessary for tax purposes. 100% of all donations (except credit card processing fees) go directly to operating the program. Donations may be tax-deductible pursuant to the provisions of Sec 170.c. of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 170.c
